Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was with the Congress for long, has drawn a unique parallel between the 'mindset' of the leadership of the BJP and his former party.

During an interaction at India Today's MindRocks event in Guwahati, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that there was a huge difference in the mindset with which the two biggest political parties of the country function.

"If someone wants to reach out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he can put out two or three tweets and the PM will respond to him. But, if someone wants to reach out to (Congress vice-president) Rahul Gandhi, he will have to wait for four-five years," Himanta Biswa Sharma said.

THE GUWAHATI GIRL

Himanta Biswa Sarma narrated the story of a girl who was in need of urgent medical attention.

"A tweet was put out for the girl from Guwahati to the Prime Minister telling him that she needed to be rushed to the hospital immediately in Delhi. The request was made that can a smooth traffic be ensured for her. The PMO responded and when the girl reached Delhi, the police made a smooth traffic arrangement and she was taken to the hospital like the President of India. This is the new India," Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Taking a swipe at the Congress 'mindset', the BJP leader said, "But, if someone from Guwahati medical college tweets to Rahul Gandhil, the answer will come after three years."

Sarma said, "Congress is a more than 100-year-old party. It has a legacy of freedom movement. During those days feudalism was high in the country. If Congress has inherited the legacy of freedom movement, it also inherited the legacy of feudalism."

DYNASTY POLITICS WOULD END IN 2019

Himanta Biswa Sarma described the 2014-general elections as the watershed moment in the politics of the country. He said that the old-style politics was defeated in the last Lok Sabha elections.

"2014 (elections) was a watershed moment. Prior to this, there was an idea of dynasty in politics. In 2014, people of India changed themselves," Sarma said.

The Assam minister further said that with the change in people's mindset in 2014, the politicians also need to change. "Now you have to care about the country, care about the youth and care about the nation. But, yes there are politicians who believe that they keep doing the old-style politics. But, that won't work," the BJP leader said.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "By 2019, politicians, who believe in dynasty, will be finished," adding, "But, I personally feel that climax will reach by 2022 when politics will be more clean. Politicians will emerge from educated section of society."

The change is taking place as youth are able to raise their voice through social media, Sarma said. "Indian politics will be more people-oriented, more responsive and more transparent by 2022. Big rol is being played by social network. You hear more and more voices of youth now. This is changing the political discourse in the country," Assam Minister said.

BEST TIME FOR ASSAM

Himanta Biswa Sharma said that the Assam is passing through the phase of golden opportunities. He said that the BJP government has not inherited a baggage of problems like the previous governments of the state, which had to deal with insurgency and financial uncertainties.

Sarma said, "We have overcome most of the problems. We had militancy. We had spell of extremism. We had spell of chauvinism. We had spell of economic problems."

"Our CM has inherited best five years in Assam and this is the best five years (under Sarbanand Sonowal) Assam can think of," the Assam Health Minister said.

Sarma said that the state finances are good as the revenue growth at 21.6 per cent was the highest in the country. "We closed the financial year with Rs 4,000 crore surplus," Sarma said.

"Indicator wise we are three or four states from the bottom. In the next two years, we will be in the middle of the table and during the next five years we will be towards top of the table," Sarma said.

He said that the state government was working to create a better infrastructural environment for business and career avenues so that people of the state are not forced to go out in search of 'petty jobs'.

Watch Video: By 2019, generation of politicians who believe in dynasty will be finished: Himanta Biswa Sarma at Mind Rocks

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