‘Mama’ in the spotlight: Himanta Sarma emerges as Assam's most loved and loathed leader

2026-03-16 - 09:12

Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a former Congress rebel, is a polarizing figure, lauded for rebranding the state as a growth hub and combating infiltrators, while criticized for his combative rhetoric. Known affectionately as 'mama' by youth, Sarma's political acumen and social media presence are central to his strategy, even as he faces accusations of hate speech.