Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday confirmed that several former leaders of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), including its former general secretary Shankarjyoti Baruah, are set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while making it clear that late entrants should not expect immediate election tickets.

Speaking on the sidelines of a seed-capital distribution programme at Barkhetri in Nalbari district, Sarma said the party welcomes the former student leaders but their primary role would be organisational work rather than seeking electoral positions.

“I want to tell everyone that those joining late should not expect or hope for party tickets. We welcome them, and they should contribute by working at the party front. Joining today and receiving a party ticket tomorrow will be difficult,” the Chief Minister said.

Addressing Baruah and other former AASU leaders directly, Sarma added, “Join to work for the party. We welcome you, but do not hope for election tickets this time.”

Apart from Baruah, those expected to join the BJP include former AASU central executive member Kanak Gogoi; Arjun Chetry from Tengakhat in Dibrugarh district; Rajib Gogoi from Jonai in Dhemaji district; Roktim Bora from Jorhat; former Tinsukia Students’ Union president Satya Borgohain; former Majuli Students’ Union president Pranjit Hazarika; former ATTSA leader Shibo Karmakar from Dibrugarh; AAP leader and former Duliajan Panchayat president Bablu Bhumij; and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee leader Samiranjan Borsaikia.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also dismissed criticism surrounding the Special Revision (SR) exercise in Assam, asserting that there was “no debate” on the issue. He claimed that notices under the exercise were being issued only to illegal Bangladesh nationals residing in the state.

“Which Hindu family has received a notice? Which Assamese Muslim household has seen a notice?” Sarma asked, maintaining that the government’s actions were targeted and justified. He said steps against illegal immigrants would continue through SR, eviction drives and border police measures.

“We are with everyone, but we cannot live with someone who can kill our community,” Sarma said.

At the event, the Chief Minister also distributed cheques of Rs 10,000 each under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan to 30,806 women self-help group beneficiaries across the state.

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