‘Overground Maoists’: Dilip Saikia’s Remark Sparks Political Firestorm

Guwahati: Assam BJP President Dilip Saikia has ignited a political storm after branding Congress workers as “overground Maoists,” following an alleged attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s convoy in Golaghat on Monday. The controversy erupted after a green plastic water bottle was hurled at one of the vehicles in the CM’s convoy during a protest by Youth Congress workers, who were demonstrating against the alleged sale of 90 Gir cows, reportedly procured by the state government and allegedly sold to private individuals, including a minister’s wife. The protestors also waved black flags as the convoy passed. No injuries were reported. Addressing the media, Saikia came down heavily on the Congress. “Someone must have instigated those who threw the bottle. This wasn’t a spontaneous act—it was ordered,” he alleged. “An attempt to murder case should be filed. Left liberals, pseudo-seculars, and Congress are all the same. They’re behaving like overground Maoists.” His remarks have drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties and have further intensified the already charged political atmosphere in Assam. In response to the incident, the BJP Yuva Morcha (BJYM) launched statewide protests demanding “exemplary punishment” for those involved. Demonstrations were reported in several districts including Guwahati, where clashes between BJYM workers and police broke out during attempted protest marches. BJYM state president Rakesh Das, BJP state general secretary Diplu Ranjan Sarma, and other senior party leaders joined the protests. The Congress party, meanwhile, took a more measured stance. Former state Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah condemned the incident, stating, “Violence cannot be the language of protest. Our method is voice and pen.” He also added that if any Congress worker was indeed involved, the act was both “wrong and unacceptable.” Local Congress leaders in Golaghat distanced themselves from the incident, terming it the work of “miscreants” rather than party members. A district-level functionary said, “Police should analyse available visuals and act accordingly.” So far, four individuals have been detained in connection with the incident, and the police have launched a formal investigation. The episode has deepened the political divide in the state, with both the BJP and Congress trading barbs over protest ethics, law and order, and the broader implications for democratic dissent. As investigations proceed, all eyes are now on whether the case takes a legal turn or remains a flashpoint in Assam’s ongoing political battles.