RAKIBUL HUSSAIN, newly elected Member of Parliament from Dhubri, Assam, has called for the government to recognize erosion and flooding as national problems. Hussain made history by winning the Lok Sabha election with a record-breaking margin of over ten lakh votes. In an interview with MOHD NAUSHAD KHAN, Hussain discusses his victory, immediate and long-term challenges, and his vision for Assam’s development. Excerpts:
Congratulations on your historic victory in the Lok Sabha polls. How did this come about?
Rakibul Hussain: Thank you. This victory belongs to the people and my party, not just me. It’s hard to understand the depth of people’s anger when you’re far from ground realities. Dhubri is a backward constituency where people work hard all day and want peace when they return home. Unfortunately, under the current regime, their homes have been bulldozed, destroying their peace. This anger translated into votes.
My victory with over ten lakh votes is not just a record for Assam or India but a world record, surpassing the previous Guinness World Record of seven lakh votes. This reflects the people’s anger against the atrocities they faced, especially from the chief minister, who made their lives unbearable.
What are the immediate and long-term challenges you face as an MP?
Rakibul Hussain: While floods in Assam are a major issue, erosion is the biggest challenge. The Brahmaputra, a powerful river, causes significant erosion, displacing people overnight. Those affected are often labelled as infiltrators, and their temporary homes are demolished.
We need an all-party delegation to assess the ground reality and declare erosion and floods as national problems. Assam cannot be left behind in India’s development story. Every part of India, including Assam, must prosper for India to truly shine.
Delimitations in Assam have been a big issue. How would you respond to that?
Rakibul Hussain: Our constituency faces unique challenges. With limited road connectivity, we often travel by boat. Despite this, one constituency here has been made with a population of 50 lakh, while others have only 12 to 15 lakh. This disparity is unjust. Constituencies with larger populations should receive proportionate development funds to avoid discrimination.
In Assam, Muslims have faced attacks related to madrasas, citizenship issues, and population. Your response?
Rakibul Hussain: These are not issues of Assam but of the chief minister. He uses these divisive topics to divert attention from real issues. The chief minister recently took a loan of 1000 crore, which isn’t being discussed. Assam should be self-sufficient and not run on loans. People here are tired of divisive politics and want peace and development. NRC, supervised by the Supreme Court, is no longer a problem, but the chief minister is creating artificial issues. People are migrating in large numbers from Assam due to unemployment.
How do you think the recent elections will impact the assembly polls in Assam in 2026?
Rakibul Hussain: If the chief minister continues with his divisive agenda, it will only strengthen people’s resolve against him. The recent elections showed a rejection of hate politics in places like Ayodhya and Badrinath. I believe we will have an INDIA Alliance government at the center and a Congress government in Assam. People who desire peace and are fed up with divisive policies will defeat Himanta Biswa Sarma in the next assembly elections.
Rakibul Hussain’s emphatic victory highlights a significant shift in voter sentiment against prevailing issues. His call for recognizing erosion and floods as national crises underscores the urgent need for focused attention on Assam’s challenges. As the political landscape evolves, the emphasis on unity and development will be crucial in shaping a prosperous future for the region.