{
  "id": 13978835,
  "title": "'Ready to contest on ballot paper': Himanta lobs dare at Cong but with a big rider",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/ready-to-contest-on-ballot-paper-himanta-lobs-dare-at-cong-but-with-a",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T14:37:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/congress-kerala-karnataka-telangana-govts-must-resign-himantas-condition-for-contesting-on-ballot-paper/articleshow/134895689.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directed harsh words at the Congress party during an ongoing protest against SIR (Special Intensive Revision) and vote chori allegations. He challenged Rahul Gandhi directly, stating he is prepared to contest elections if the Congress leaders in Kerala, Telangana, and Karnataka resign.\n\nDuring a press conference in Guwahati, Himanta claimed that the Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana governments were formed through vote chori under Gyanesh Kumar. He observed that the Congress lacks enough people to protest in Delhi and that they had to bring individuals from Assam and the rest of the country. Himanta emphasized his willingness to set a precedent by resigning as an MP and launching a movement.\n\nDefending the SIR process, Himanta stated that it is necessary for India as the demography of Assam, West Bengal, and Jharkhand has been altered due to illegal immigration. He argued that unless their names are removed from the voter list, India's demographics will continue to change. Himanta demanded an SIR every five years to safeguard Indian democracy.\n\nHe characterized the Congress's vote chori protest as an effort to change the government without public backing. Himanta asserted that only 2,000-3,000 individuals are participating in the protest led by Rahul Gandhi, with the majority being frustrated individuals and individuals opposed to India's growth. The Chief Minister further stated that Chief Justice of India Surya Kant refused to meet opposition leaders, suggesting they should approach the court through legal channels as the matter was already pending.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Himanta Biswa Sarma challenges Rahul Gandhi to contest elections if Congress leaders resign.",
    "Himanta claims vote chori in Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana governments.",
    "Himanta proposes annual SIR to control demographic changes due to illegal immigration."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}