Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Sarma Defends Election Commission, Cites Assam’s Rhino Poaching Record
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the Election Commission and its chief, Gyanesh Kumar.
He said the Opposition and “Dimaagi Naxals” were unfairly attacking the election official.
Sarma argued that Election Commission decisions should be made together by all the commissioners.
He also said Assam has had three straight years without a recorded rhino-poaching case.
He praised the police, Forest Department and others for helping protect rhinos.
Sarma compared this with earlier years when many rhinos were killed, according to official records.
He also said the government would listen to useful ideas about education and healthcare from any political party.
He added that teachers should be posted near the students who need them.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the Opposition and “Dimaagi Naxals” of targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Sarma said Election Commission decisions should be collective, made through consensus or majority voting rather than unilaterally by the CEC.
He claimed Assam has recorded no rhino-poaching cases for three consecutive years and credited the police, Forest Department and conservation workers.
Sarma said official records showed an average of 40 to 45 rhinos were killed annually during the Congress regime, while acknowledging some cases may have gone unrecorded.
He said his government would consider constructive education and healthcare suggestions from any political party, including the Cockroach Janata Party campaign.
- Who
- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Election Commission, and political opponents mentioned by Sarma.
- What
- Sarma defended the Election Commission, discussed collective decision-making, highlighted Assam’s rhino-poaching record, and addressed education suggestions from the Cockroach Janata Party campaign.
- When
- Today, after an Assam Cabinet meeting.
- Where
- Guwahati, Assam.
- Why
- Sarma said he was responding to what he described as political targeting of the Chief Election Commissioner and was highlighting conservation and policy issues.
- Speaker
- Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam
- Election official mentioned
- Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner
- Sarma’s position on EC decisions
- Decisions should be collective, based on consensus or majority
- Rhino-poaching record
- Assam has recorded zero cases for three consecutive years, according to Sarma
- Earlier poaching figure
- Sarma said official records showed an average of 40 to 45 rhinos killed annually during the Congress regime
- Policy suggestions
- Sarma said constructive suggestions on education and healthcare would be considered regardless of the political party making them