GUWAHATI: As politicking picks up heat in Assam ahead of this year’s assembly elections –the dates of which are likely to be announced in the first week of March — there’s one aspect that has perceptibly stood out from the rest: the massive footfall and enthusiasm surrounding the rallies of Assam Finance, Health, Education and PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
From his padyatras to bicycle rallies, from the bike rallies to other functions he has been taking part day in and day out, enthusiastic supporters are turning up in massive numbers; many of them eager to get a selfie clicked with their favourite leader or to even get a closer glimpse of him.
“He’s a mass leader. There aren’t many politicians who have an aura as his. He’s gifted; he’s special,” said one of his supporters.
Incidentally, another aspect that has hogged limelight is the “Mama, Mama” and “I Love You Mama” chants — mainly from young boys and girls — who have been flocking his rallies in large numbers.
Ever since the Assam Government began distributing scooties among girl students who secured first divisions in their higher secondary examinations, videos of male college students seeking bullet motorcycles from Sarma have been quite popular on the social media.
The Assam minister, who is also convener of the Northeast Democratic Alliance or NEDA, has even publicly promised them motor-bikes in the near future.
“Mama…Mama… When will we get bullet motorcycles? Please give us bullets,” the boys were heard asking him at one of his recent cycle rallies.
“Do you want bullet motorcycles? We will do something soon,” the minister answered.
“He’s a crowd puller. You can’t deny that. And the amount of energy he radiates is something that baffles many people,” an opposition leader who did not want him identified said.
“The crowds are a pan-Assam phenomenon and not just limited to his home constituency of Jalukbari where he has a demi-God-like stature. Wherever he goes, the crowds simply follow”, another political observer said.
And the footfalls are only likely to increase once the election dates are announced.
