Don't politicise: Himanta Sarma targets Congress over Zubeen Garg justice promise
A political row intensifies in Assam as Congress promises justice for Zubeen Garg within 100 days, drawing a sharp rebuttal from Himanta Biswa Sarma, who questions both the legality and intent.
A fresh political row has erupted in poll-bound Assam after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticised the Congress for promising justice in the death of singer Zubeen Garg within 100 days if voted to power.
Speaking during the campaign, Sarma urged the opposition not to drag the matter into politics, stressing that the case lies within the domain of the judiciary.
“It is not right to bring Zubeen Garg into politics. Justice should be delivered by the judiciary, not by the government,” he said.
‘HOW WILL YOU DELIVER JUSTICE?’
Sarma questioned the feasibility of the Congress promise, pointing to the ongoing judicial process.
“There is a case in the hands of a judge. The Guwahati High Court is looking into it. What can the government do about it?” he asked.
Drawing a comparison with past cases, he added, “You could not bring Rajiv Gandhi to justice in three months. What will you do about Garg? If you have power over the judiciary, why did it take so many years earlier?”
He said a fast-track court has already been set up and the matter now rests with the judiciary.
CONGRESS PUTS GARG CASE AT CENTRE OF CAMPAIGN
The remarks come after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge unveiled a set of election guarantees on Sunday, placing justice for Garg among the key promises.
Addressing a rally in Lakhimpur district, Kharge said, “We will find out who murdered him and present the findings within the specified time.”
He maintained that the party’s guarantees were unconditional.
DEATH PROBE REMAINS CONTESTED
Garg, 52, died while swimming off an island in Singapore on September 19, 2025. His death has since become a political flashpoint.
While Sarma has claimed that the singer was “murdered as part of a conspiracy”, a Singapore coroner’s court ruled the death an accidental drowning.
Seven people, including his manager Siddharth Sharma and event organiser Shaymkanu Mahanta, remain in judicial custody in connection with the case.
WELFARE PROMISES AND POLITICAL ATTACKS
Alongside the Garg case, Congress announced a range of welfare measures, including Rs 50,000 support for women entrepreneurs, monthly cash transfers, Rs 1,250 pensions for senior citizens, Rs 25 lakh cashless health cover for families, and land rights for 10 lakh indigenous people.
Kharge also launched a personal attack on Sarma, accusing him of switching sides for political survival.
“He fled to save himself,” he said, while urging voters to back Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi.
With both sides stepping up their attacks, the Zubeen Garg case has emerged as a key election issue, adding to an already heated contest where governance, legality and political credibility are under scrutiny.
Elections 2026 | Assam Election | Assam Election Constituencies | Assam Election Schedule
A fresh political row has erupted in poll-bound Assam after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticised the Congress for promising justice in the death of singer Zubeen Garg within 100 days if voted to power.
Speaking during the campaign, Sarma urged the opposition not to drag the matter into politics, stressing that the case lies within the domain of the judiciary.
“It is not right to bring Zubeen Garg into politics. Justice should be delivered by the judiciary, not by the government,” he said.
‘HOW WILL YOU DELIVER JUSTICE?’
Sarma questioned the feasibility of the Congress promise, pointing to the ongoing judicial process.
“There is a case in the hands of a judge. The Guwahati High Court is looking into it. What can the government do about it?” he asked.
Drawing a comparison with past cases, he added, “You could not bring Rajiv Gandhi to justice in three months. What will you do about Garg? If you have power over the judiciary, why did it take so many years earlier?”
He said a fast-track court has already been set up and the matter now rests with the judiciary.
CONGRESS PUTS GARG CASE AT CENTRE OF CAMPAIGN
The remarks come after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge unveiled a set of election guarantees on Sunday, placing justice for Garg among the key promises.
Addressing a rally in Lakhimpur district, Kharge said, “We will find out who murdered him and present the findings within the specified time.”
He maintained that the party’s guarantees were unconditional.
DEATH PROBE REMAINS CONTESTED
Garg, 52, died while swimming off an island in Singapore on September 19, 2025. His death has since become a political flashpoint.
While Sarma has claimed that the singer was “murdered as part of a conspiracy”, a Singapore coroner’s court ruled the death an accidental drowning.
Seven people, including his manager Siddharth Sharma and event organiser Shaymkanu Mahanta, remain in judicial custody in connection with the case.
WELFARE PROMISES AND POLITICAL ATTACKS
Alongside the Garg case, Congress announced a range of welfare measures, including Rs 50,000 support for women entrepreneurs, monthly cash transfers, Rs 1,250 pensions for senior citizens, Rs 25 lakh cashless health cover for families, and land rights for 10 lakh indigenous people.
Kharge also launched a personal attack on Sarma, accusing him of switching sides for political survival.
“He fled to save himself,” he said, while urging voters to back Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi.
With both sides stepping up their attacks, the Zubeen Garg case has emerged as a key election issue, adding to an already heated contest where governance, legality and political credibility are under scrutiny.
Elections 2026 | Assam Election | Assam Election Constituencies | Assam Election Schedule
