Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Says BJP Doesn’t Need ‘Miya’ Votes Until They Reform

Dispur: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made a significant statement on Sunday, highlighting the BJP’s stance regarding the ‘Miya’ community residing in the ‘char’ (riverine sandbar) areas. Sarma emphasized that the BJP does not seek the votes of the ‘Miya’ people for the next decade, unless they undergo transformative changes, particularly concerning issues like child marriage.

Sarma acknowledged that the ‘Miya’ community has expressed support for him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the BJP. He encouraged them to continue endorsing the saffron party by voicing their support, even if they choose not to cast their votes for it.

The term ‘Miya’ is commonly used as slang to refer to Bengali-speaking Muslims. However, Sarma laid out specific criteria for those considering voting for him and the BJP in the future. He stressed that individuals from the ‘Miya’ community who wish to support the party should commit to family planning, avoid child marriage, and distance themselves from fundamentalism. Sarma estimated that these changes would take approximately 10 years to fully implement. He made it clear that the BJP would actively seek their votes only after this transformational period.

In more specific terms, the Chief Minister outlined the prerequisites for ‘Miya’ voters, which include limiting family size to two or three children, ensuring that daughters receive an education, avoiding child marriages, and embracing Sufism while moving away from fundamentalist ideologies. Sarma’s statement underscores the BJP’s position on the ‘Miya’ community and their expectations for meaningful change in the coming years.