Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday launched a sharp public attack on the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and its Guwahati Central candidate Kunki Choudhury, making a series of allegations centred on the social media activity and political associations of Choudhury's mother — triggering an immediate political storm ahead of the elections.
Addressing the media, Sarma accused the AJP of fielding candidates whose family backgrounds and ideological positions he claimed were "deeply offensive to the cultural and religious sentiments of Assam."
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Sarma specifically targeted Choudhury's mother, Sujata Gurung, alleging that she had posted photographs on social media consuming beef — which he described as an affront to "Sanatani values."
He further alleged that Gurung had made statements challenging traditional religious beliefs and expressing a lack of faith in Lord Krishna. The Chief Minister also claimed she had expressed support for controversial figures Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, whom he accused of working to divide the country, and had indirectly expressed support for Pakistan.
Sarma also turned his criticism toward AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi, questioning the party's commitment to its own stated political plank of "jati, mati, bheti" — community, land, and identity — a phrase central to the AJP's political identity in Assam.
"Why is Lurinjyoti Gogoi giving tickets to such candidates?" Sarma asked, invoking the legacy of the Gandhi family alongside his broader criticism of the party.
Kunki Choudhury is the youngest candidate contesting the Guwahati Central assembly seat in 2026. Earlier on Thursday, the AJP had itself issued a statement condemning what it described as a smear campaign against Choudhury, alleging that misleading images and false narratives were being spread to damage her reputation and that of her family.
Sarma's remarks appear to be at the centre of that controversy — and with opposition parties likely to respond strongly to what many may characterise as personal and polarising attacks, the exchange is set to remain a flashpoint in the final stretch of the campaign.
The AJP had not issued an official response to Sarma's specific allegations at the time of publication.