Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has criticized the Congress party for including the name of prominent Assamese singer Zubeen Garg in its election manifesto. Sarma stated that the opposition's action amounts to politicizing the personal life of a cultural icon, urging them to "let him be at peace" from political entanglement during the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaign.

The controversy stems from the Congress party's recently released manifesto, which reportedly pledges to investigate "the reasons behind the suicide cases of individuals like Zubeen Garg and others" if the party is elected to power. This particular inclusion has drawn strong reactions from the Chief Minister and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam, who view it as an inappropriate use of a non-political public figure's name.

Addressing the media, Chief Minister Sarma, a leader of the BJP, questioned the rationale behind associating Zubeen Garg's name with such sensitive matters in a political document. He highlighted that Garg, a revered figure in Assamese culture, has not actively participated in political campaigns and should not be subjected to political scrutiny in this manner. Sarma remarked, "Zubeen Garg is a dear friend to all of us. He is not a politician. Why drag his name into politics?" He further suggested that if the Congress wished to feature individuals in their manifesto, they should consider living politicians or those actively involved in public life, rather than artists who prefer to remain apolitical.

Zubeen Garg is widely recognized across Assam and the broader Northeast for his significant contributions to music, film, and culture. His extensive discography and popular film roles have cemented his status as a beloved cultural icon, making his mention in a political manifesto a subject of public interest and debate. The Congress party's specific reference to "suicide cases of individuals like Zubeen Garg" has been particularly contentious, with critics arguing it intrudes upon personal privacy and potentially misrepresents an individual's circumstances for political gain.

The incident underscores the intensified political rhetoric prevalent during the Lok Sabha election period in Assam. Both the BJP and the Congress are actively campaigning to garner public support, and statements involving prominent public figures often become flashpoints in the electoral discourse. The Chief Minister's strong response indicates a strategic effort to counter the Congress's narrative and defend non-political personalities from being drawn into party politics. As the election cycle progresses, such uses of public figures' names and their subsequent political interpretations are likely to continue shaping the campaign landscape in the state.