Guwahati, March 22: Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia has directed MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi to apologize to the people of Assam for his misconduct in the state Assembly on March 21. In a strongly worded letter to Kurmi, Saikia expressed dismay over the MLA’s actions, calling them unbecoming of a seasoned politician and contrary to the party’s disciplined ethos. The directive follows an incident in which Kurmi attempted to physically charge Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi during a heated Assembly debate. The episode, which unfolded within the Assembly’s hallowed chambers, has been widely condemned as a breach of parliamentary decorum and an affront to democratic discourse.
The letter underscored the BJP’s core values of discipline, restraint, and ideological integrity, stating: "The BJP is an organization guided and nurtured by strict discipline and a unique ideological framework. We uphold patience, restraint, and, when necessary, principled ideological battles as part of our ethos.” While Kurmi had already apologized within the Assembly, Saikia deemed it insufficient. He directed the MLA to issue a formal apology to the people of Assam and warned him against repeating such behaviour.
Kurmi, the legislator from Mariani, made headlines on March 21 when he left his seat and aggressively approached Akhil Gogoi, disrupting proceedings and drawing widespread criticism.
Kurmi was engaged in a bitter war of words with Gogoi when he took the offensive. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that he had discussed the matter with Assam BJP President Dilip Saikia, who emphatically asked Kurmi to apologize for his conduct, stating it did not conform to the culture of the BJP.
The chaotic incident in the Assembly occurred when Kurmi charged at Gogoi, who had interrupted him during his speech. Fellow legislators attempted to intervene, but the situation escalated quickly, leading to calls for Kurmi's expulsion from the House.
MLA Akhil Gogoi was particularly vocal in condemning Kurmi’s actions, which drew significant attention from opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia from the Congress party. Saikia expressed regret over the serious nature of the incident, noting, "This was a very unfortunate incident. I have been an MLA since 2011, and we have not seen such an instance when an Opposition member was threatened.”
In addition to the notable disciplinary action being contemplated against Kurmi, the BJP has faced pressure from citizens of Assam and political observers. The public outrage was palpable as waves of protest from nearly all opposition parties emerged, including Congress, AAP Assam, AJP, and Raijor Dal, all demanding strong action against Kurmi for his behaviour.
In his reprimanding letter, Saikia emphasized the severity of Kurmi’s actions: "Your act of leaving your seat and charging at a fellow MLA has drawn attention from the people of Assam. Your conduct is contrary to the traditions of the Assembly.”
As the political fallout continues to unfold, an insider commented on the situation, stating that the BJP's actions towards Kurmi seem to be a damage-control measure aimed at minimizing potential backlash ahead of upcoming state elections.
Kurmi's behavior in the Assembly, which has been described as 'unprecedented', stands to challenge the BJP’s reputation as a disciplined political party. Being an experienced politician, having served since 2006, his recent conduct raises questions regarding the party's ability to maintain decorum amongst its ranks. Kurmi notably left Congress to join the BJP in June 2021, shortly after he won the Assembly elections.
Amid mounting discontent and public scrutiny, Chief Minister Sarma reiterated the party's commitment to uphold parliamentary decorum, stressing that all MLAs must adhere to the conventions of the House. He stated, "All MLAs need to abide by the rules and regulations of the House.”
As the BJP attempts to navigate the controversies surrounding Kurmi’s actions, the outcome of the situation may have broader implications for the party in Assam, especially with elections on the horizon. The incident has left many in doubt of whether the BJP can effectively manage its members' behavior and uphold the values it espouses publicly.
Ultimately, this sequence of events may be a pivotal moment not only for MLA Kurmi but also for the Assam BJP as they grapple with the repercussions of unruly behaviour from their members at a time when maintaining public trust is critical.
