BJP doesn't need votes of Miya Muslims: Himanta Biswa Sarma

GUWAHATI: State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the BJP doesn't need the votes of 'Miya Muslims', nor will 'Miya Muslims' vote for the party.

Speaking on the sidelines of the distribution of appointment letters to around 4,511 teachers at the Veterinary College field, Khanapara here on Saturday, Sarma said, "As long as social evils like talaq, child marriage, and polygamy among others are the way of life among 'Miya Muslims' we won't approach them for votes. However, we've some party workers among them. Not to demoralize such party workers, we're going to field a few candidates in the Miya Muslim-dominated constituencies.

"I'm not sure if there's at all any community called 'Miya' or 'Miya' culture. However, a section of people claims that there's such a community and a culture. The voters of Assam know who comprise this section of people, and the community they belong to.

"These are the ones who came to break the 'Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra' during the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) agitation. They're the ones who want to have a Miya museum in the 'Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra'. If a government is formed in the State with the votes of such people, who can rule out the possibility of restrictions imposed on 'others' while going to temples and naamghars for prayers?"

On the Congress' claim of securing 100-plus seats in the forthcoming Assembly election in the State, Sarma said, "Amidst whom the Congress has been holding their public meetings are quite glaring. And such gatherings also make it crystal clear on whose behalf the Congress is doing politics.

"The Opposition is a divided lot. They are fragmented into smaller groups. The poll battle would've been straight had the Opposition parties got united to check the BJP. I appeal them to get into a huddle and fight against the BJP. Only the result of such a poll battle can make it clear as to which party the people of the State are sided with."