Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said he does not expect votes from ‘Miya Muslims’. Addressing the media in Guwahati, Himanta Sarma also said he did not visit medical colleges because Miya Muslims are there.
‘Miya’ is a pejorative term used for the Bengali-speaking or Bengal-origin Muslims in Assam.
“I don’t expect votes from Miya Muslims. I don’t visit medical colleges because Miya Muslims are there in more numbers,” the Assam Chief Minister said.
Himanta Sarma further said he and his party were focused on the development of indigenous Muslims in the state.
“We are focused on the development of the indigenous Muslims of Assam. I never expect votes from Muslims, except the indigenous Muslims from Assam. It’s very sad that Miya Muslims are more than our indigenous youth in every medical college. I have stopped going much to these colleges now,” he said.
The Chief Minister also alleged the Congress and AIUDF have a “relationship of votes” with the Muslim community in Assam and over the years votes have been sought from them by creating an “atmosphere of fear”.
Both the parties have a relationship with the Muslims of migrant origin till they get the votes but they have not taken any steps for their development or in the areas where they live, Sarma said, adding, they have not constructed any roads, bridges, schools, colleges for them.
”As a first step, we have taken measures to improve the living conditions of the indigenous Assamese Muslims and a survey will be conducted soon on them”, he said.
Meanwhile, Maulana Badruddin Ajmal, the chief of the Assam-based All India United Democratic Front and MP from Dhubri responded to Himanta Sarma, saying not having Miya Muslims to work would lead to a deserted Guwahati.
“If Miya Muslims do not work for three days in Guwahati, it will turn into a graveyard,” he said.
Addressing the media, the Assam Chief Minister also spoke about Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, who is currently on a three-day visit to the state and will leave for New Delhi on Sunday.
It is a matter of great honour that the Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk is visiting Assam, which has led to hope and aspirations between the two countries, Sarma said.
“Bhutan is our neighbouring country but this is the first time that a King is visiting the state. We hope this will pave the way for state visits from many more countries”, he said.