Guwahati, Nov 10 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress MP Rakibul Hussain over his promise to restore land to people affected by eviction drives if the party returned to power, saying those who had lost their homes could not be asked to wait for decades. 

Reacting to Hussain's assurance, Sarma took a swipe at the Congress' electoral prospects in Assam, claiming that the party may have to wait another 50 years to return to power in the state.

 “Congress will come back to power in Assam after 50 years, and by then this Congress may not even exist. Who will wait for 50 years?” Sarma said, questioning the promise made by the Dhubri MP. 

The Chief Minister argued that, instead of linking relief for evicted families to a possible future change in government, Hussain should use his position as an elected representative to seek immediate assistance for landless people. 

Sarma said an MLA or MP could approach the district administration or the state government and press for alternative land for families left without land following eviction operations.

“If I were an MLA or an MP, I would have said that I would speak to the Deputy Commissioner and arrange alternative land for the evicted people,” the Chief Minister said. 

Escalating his political attack, Sarma accused the Congress of making promises to the minority community without offering an immediate solution to their concerns. 

He alleged that Hussain's statement amounted to asking affected people to wait until the Congress returned to power before expecting relief. 

The Chief Minister also questioned why the Congress had not addressed the issue of landlessness during its long tenure in power in Assam. 

According to Sarma, the focus should be on finding solutions for landless families now rather than making assurances contingent on a future election victory. The exchange comes amid continuing political debate in Assam over eviction drives carried out by the BJP-led state government. 

While the government has defended the operations as necessary to clear encroached government and forest land, the Congress has criticised the drives and raised concerns over the rehabilitation of affected families. 

--IANS