After Arvind Kejriwal’s invite, Himanta Biswa Sharma hits back

“You may have become Assam’s Chief Minister, but you haven’t learned Assam’s culture,” said Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, launching an attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during his first visit to the state on Sunday. Sarma hit back at Kejriwal at a press conference later at night and accused him of being a “coward”.

Kejriwal, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, addressed a large gathering of party workers from across the state during his one-day visit to Guwahati on Sunday.

Pitting himself directly against his Assam counterpart, the Delhi CM told his party workers, “In 2016, Himanta babu’s government was formed. In 2015, my government was formed in Delhi. Today, we have transformed Delhi within a span of seven years. Schools, hospitals, electricity, water, roads—we have created a fabulous Delhi. What has Himanta babu done in seven years? He has only done dirty politics.”

Kejriwal said, “For two days, he has been threatening me saying that he will put me in jail when I come. Am I some terrorist? Assam’s people are very nice and welcome their guests. When they have guests, they take them to their homes, and give them tea and food. Assam’s people don’t give threats of jail.”

Extending an invite, Kejriwal added, “When you (Sarma) come to Delhi, please come to my house for tea. If you have more time, come for a meal. I will also take you around to show you the great schools and hospitals we have made in Delhi.”

Kejriwal’s visit to Assam comes ahead of the panchayat elections later this year and the Lok Sabha elections next year.

While addressing a press conference on Sunday night, Sarma accused Kejriwal of being a “coward”.

“When you’re a man, speak like a man. If you’re a woman, speak like a woman. If you’re a leader, speak like a leader. But don’t speak like a coward. He didn’t have the courage to mention any case against me, which proves that they only have the strength to show their heroism within the four walls of the Vidhan Sabha,” he said.

“Today, Kejriwal said that he has given 12 lakh jobs. I called officials in Delhi and they said, ‘Sir, we only have a total of 1.5 lakh jobs,’ he said.

Sarma also responded to Kejriwal’s jibe about “lack of hospitality” saying, “We are hospitable but when (Mughal Emperor) Aurangzeb came to Assam, (Ahom commander) Lachit Barphukan did not treat him as a guest.”