BJP doesn’t need Miya Muslim vote, party will not give ticket to them: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Himanta Biswa Sarma said that, some people who came to Assam from Bangladesh at different points of time have started identifying themselves as Miya and these so-called Miya people are very communal, fundamental and they are involved in various activities to distort Assamese culture, Assamese language.

"I don’t want to be MLA with their votes. I will not be able to stand up, sit in assembly if they voted for me. My personal opinion is that the people who are openly challenging Assamese culture, language and who are challenging composite Indian culture shouldn't vote for us.

"Outside Assam, if I talk about Miya, people generalized it with Muslims. We have not said anything against the Muslims who are indigenous to Assam and who believe in Assamese composite culture. If you identify yourself as a Miya Muslim, don’t vote for us. If you identify yourself as an Assamese Muslim then definitely vote for us,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The Assam minister also said that all Muslims don’t identify themselves as Miya Muslims.

"This election will give us a rough idea that how many people identify themselves as Miya Muslim and how many identify themselves as Assamese Muslim, Indian Muslim,” Himanta said.

Himanta Biswa Sarma further said that, BJP will not give party ticket to Miya Muslim.

"We will give party ticket from the Muslim community, but we will not give party ticket to those who claim themselves as so-called Miya Muslim in the context of Assam. Miya word is a very revert word in North India, but in Assam Miya word has been used to challenge our identity, culture. This is a cultural division issue, not a religious issue," Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

He also said, "The entire Miya Muslims are communal and they will try to immerse themselves as stronger but I am requesting even the Congress party that not to give them tickets and don’t allow them to flourish.”