Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 25 reiterated that he will not be contesting next year’s state Assembly elections, claiming that he was now working only to ensure a ‘strong nationalist government’ in the state.
With speculation rife over the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate for next year’s polls, the party leader also claimed that he was not in race for any post or position.
Sarma wrote on Twitter: “Few people feel that I am after some post and position. My only ambition is to see a BJP government with 100+ seats. In my last few months, I want to work for my state as much as possible to have eternal satisfaction.”
“As I have already indicated in several public platform that I am not interested in contesting next Assembly election, my role will be limited to contribute whatever I can for my party and for my state. For Assam future we need to have a strong nationalist government,” he added.
Sarma, who is also the convener of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), had earlier also maintained that he will not be contesting next year’s Assembly election.
He had reportedly sought BJP ticket for last year’s Lok Sabha elections, but was denied by a section of central party leadership.
First elected to the state Assembly in 2001 on Congress ticket, Sarma had served as minister in successive Congress governments since then, before joining the BJP ahead of 2016 Assembly polls and then assuming ministerial position in the BJP-led state government.
