Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced his readiness to impose a ban on beef in the state. The statement comes in the wake of allegations that BJP workers organised beef parties to influence minority voters in Samaguri during the recently concluded elections. Sarma remarked, Samaguri was under Congress for 25 years. Losing it by 27,000 votes is a significant setback for Congress. This defeat is more of Congress's loss than BJP's victory. In the elections, BJP candidate Diplu Ranjan Sarma emerged victorious with a margin of 26,200 votes, defeating Congress's Tanzil Hussain.
Reacting to allegations made by Congress MP Rakibul Hussain about the BJP's campaign tactics, Sarma said, "Rakibul Hussain made an important observation that eating beef is wrong. If that's the case, does it mean Samaguri voters can be swayed by offering beef?"
Sarma further added, "If Rakibul Hussain believes beef consumption is wrong, then a complete ban should be implemented in Assam. I will write to the state Congress president Bhupen Borah and seek his stance. If he agrees, I will take this to the assembly and ban beef entirely. This will apply to all communities, ensuring no party or individual uses beef as a political tool."
The Chief Minister emphasised, "If this step is taken, all issues related to beef in the state will be resolved."