Cong manifesto pledge on Zubeen unpardonable crime: Sarma

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on Congress for politicizing singer Zubeen Garg’s death by promising justice within 100 days in its manifesto.Calling the pledge “an unpardonable crime,” Sarma said judgments are delivered by courts, not political parties, and accused Congress of exploiting a tragedy for electoral gains.“Congress has committed an unpardonable crime by including Zubeen’s name and his death in its election manifesto. If Congress wants to pay real tribute to Zubeen, they can hire a lawyer... they can bring Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who can argue the case free of cost in the fast-track court,” he said.Sarma said Zubeen was “very dear to all Assamese” and it was “unfortunate and sad” to use his name for votes.The chief minister talked about a video of members of a consultancy firm hired by Congress discussing how Zubeen’s death should be raised at all levels to garner votes.

“If I become chief minister again, I will ensure all members of this firm are arrested for indulging in this kind of dirty politics and conspiracy,” he said.Sarma added that he had visited Zubeen’s memorial several times without informing the media, unlike Congress leaders who, he alleged, went with cameras. “Zubeen himself had said ‘politics nokoriba, bondhu’ (don’t indulge in politics, friends). Let the singer be at peace,” he said.

Sarma added, “Nobody has done this kind of disgusting politics of bringing in Zubeen’s name to seek votes... People will give the party befitting punishment in the election," he added.Sarma said no govt can dictate any judgment. “The govt can set up a fast-track court and appoint prosecution lawyers. It is the court which delivers judgement not the govt,” Sarma said.“From the first day’s proceedings on Monday in the fast-track court, I believe that justice will be delivered within a month and will not take even 100 days.

I believe we will get good news within a month,’ he added.Sarma said Congress had brought its president Mallikarjun Kharge to release the manifesto, but it was he who had insulted both Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg. “Kharge’s son had insulted the youth of Assam, saying there was no talented person in the state to work in the semiconductor industry... Will people believe that they can give justice to Zubeen Garg?” asked Sarma.The Gauhati high court has appointed an exclusive fast-track sessions court to hear the case, with the state govt providing logistical support. Assam Police’s CID has already filed a charge sheet naming seven accused, who are in judicial custody. Zubeen Garg, 52, died while swimming in the sea in Singapore on Sept 19 last year, where he had gone to attend the North East India Festival.