Guwahati, Aug 15
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday launched a sharp personal attack on Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he had lost his mental balance following a series of electoral setbacks. Speaking to reporters, Sarma said LoP Rahul Gandhi’s recent political statements reflected frustration after the Congress lost several elections.
“I think he has lost his mental balance. After the defeat in the elections in West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry, LoP Rahul Gandhi has become a nutcase,” Sarma remarked. Sarma’s comments came amid intensifying confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, with LoP Rahul Gandhi repeatedly targeting the Centre and BJP governments over issues including democracy, elections and national security.
He has recently stepped up his criticism of the government, including raising questions over the situation along India’s border with China. On Friday, he alleged that Chinese forces had prevented Indian troops from patrolling in certain areas of Arunachal Pradesh, a charge rejected by the government.
The Assam Chief Minister has also been vocal in attacking LoP Rahul Gandhi over his political remarks and conduct. He criticised LoP Rahul Gandhi and the Congress after an exchange at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, which included Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Sarma accused the Congress leadership of crossing “every line of decency”, saying remarks about a woman leader of a friendly country were politically indecent and could affect India’s foreign relations. He said making disrespect towards women a subject of amusement reflected poorly on the political culture being encouraged by the party. The exchange is the latest in a series of confrontations between Sarma and LoP Rahul Gandhi.
During the 2026 Assam election campaign, LoP Rahul Gandhi had accused Sarma of corruption and promoting hatred, while the Assam Chief Minister dismissed the allegations and hit back. Sarma has frequently targeted Gandhi in strong terms in recent months. In April, he described the Congress leader as a “crazy person” while responding to allegations that the Assam government was misusing its power against political opponents. The latest remarks are expected to further intensify the political slugfest between the BJP and Congress, with both sides continuing to trade sharp allegations ahead of the next phase of political mobilisation.