Himanta Biswa Sarma Slams ‘World’s Biggest Flop Family,’ Blames Rahul-Priyanka Rift for His Congress Exit

'World’s biggest flop family': Assam CM Himanta takes dig at Gandhis; claims he is 'victim' of Rahul-Priyanka rift

In a scathing political broadside that has reignited national debate, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a direct shot at the Gandhi family, labeling them the “world’s biggest flop family” and claiming he was a “victim” of the alleged rift between Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi during his time in the Indian National Congress .

Speaking at a public event in Guwahati, Sarma—who switched to the BJP in 2015 after a high-profile fallout with the Congress leadership—revisited old wounds, alleging that internal power struggles within the Gandhi household derailed not just his career but also the party’s trajectory in the Northeast . His comments come amid renewed speculation about Congress’s leadership vacuum and its struggle to counter the BJP’s dominance in eastern India.

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The “Flop Family” Remark: What Himanta Actually Said

Addressing a gathering of BJP supporters, Himanta didn’t mince words. “They call themselves a political dynasty, but I say they are the world’s biggest flop family,” he declared, drawing loud cheers . He went on to claim that during his tenure in Congress, he was sidelined not because of policy differences, but due to personal dynamics between Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.

“I was caught in the crossfire of their sibling rivalry,” Sarma alleged. “One day I was being promoted by one, the next I was being undermined by the other. There was no clarity, no vision—just chaos masked as legacy.”

While the Congress party has yet to issue an official response, sources within the party called the remarks “desperate” and “politically motivated,” especially ahead of upcoming state elections in the Northeast .

Himanta Biswa Sarma Congress Exit: A Timeline of Betrayal?

Sarma’s journey from Congress stalwart to BJP’s northeastern strongman is one of modern Indian politics’ most dramatic turnarounds. Once considered a rising star in the Congress, he held key portfolios in Assam and was seen as a potential chief ministerial candidate.

But by 2015, tensions had peaked. Sarma claimed he was denied a ticket for the 2016 assembly elections despite his grassroots connect—a decision he now attributes to the Gandhi siblings’ indecision. “I wasn’t just ignored; I was punished for being too effective,” he said recently .

His switch to the BJP proved transformative. Under his leadership, the BJP has consolidated power in Assam, Tripura, and beyond, while Congress has struggled to regain its foothold in the region—a shift many analysts attribute directly to Sarma’s strategic acumen .

Did the Rahul-Priyanka Gandhi Rift Really Exist?

While the Congress has always publicly projected unity, whispers of tension between Rahul and Priyanka have circulated for years. Priyanka’s formal entry into active politics in 2019—first as AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh—was seen by some as a tacit admission that Rahul’s leadership wasn’t yielding results .

However, close aides of the Gandhi family insist the siblings share a deep bond and that any perceived “rift” is media fabrication. “They consult each other on every major decision,” a senior Congress leader told The Hindu in 2023 .

Yet, Himanta’s repeated references to this alleged rift suggest it may have been a real factor in internal party dynamics—especially in states like Assam, where regional leaders often felt excluded from Delhi-centric decision-making.

In the same speech, Sarma escalated his attack by accusing current Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and his wife of having links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) . “Their actions compromise our national security,” he claimed, without presenting public evidence.

This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced in Indian politics, but they carry serious weight. The Ministry of Home Affairs has not commented, and Gogoi has dismissed the claims as “baseless slander” meant to distract from governance failures .

For context, making unsubstantiated national security allegations is a high-risk political tactic—one that can backfire if not backed by credible intelligence. Legal experts note that such statements could invite defamation suits unless supported by official records .

Political Fallout and Public Reaction

Social media erupted within hours of Sarma’s remarks. Supporters hailed him as a truth-teller unafraid to challenge dynastic politics, while critics accused him of using inflammatory rhetoric to mask administrative shortcomings in Assam .

Political analysts see this as part of a broader BJP strategy to delegitimize the Gandhi family ahead of the 2029 general elections. “By framing the Gandhis as incompetent and divided, the BJP aims to cement the narrative that only they can provide stable, decisive leadership,” explains Dr. Arun Kumar, a political scientist at JNU .

Meanwhile, [INTERNAL_LINK:bjp-vs-congress-in-northeast] explores how regional dynamics continue to shape India’s electoral map.

Conclusion: Personal Grievances or Strategic Messaging?

Whether Himanta Biswa Sarma’s comments stem from genuine grievance or calculated political messaging, they underscore a deeper truth: the Congress party’s struggle with internal cohesion and leadership clarity remains its Achilles’ heel. His Himanta Biswa Sarma Congress exit story is no longer just personal—it’s become a symbol of the party’s decline in India’s strategically vital northeastern corridor.

As the BJP doubles down on anti-dynasty rhetoric, the Gandhis face mounting pressure to prove they’re more than just a famous surname. For now, Himanta’s words echo not just in Assam, but across the corridors of power in New Delhi.

Sources

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