In a fresh blow to one of Assam’s most prominent political figures, Union Minister and former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has been left out of a key visual tribute by a fellow BJP leader. Mariani MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi, who recently released his annual calendar to mark the English New Year and the joyous Bhogali Bihu festival, chose not to include Sonowal’s picture among the party’s top brass. This omission has raised tough questions: Is Sonowal, once hailed as a national hero for his role in Assam’s politics, no longer important to the BJP? Or is this just another sign of the deepening cracks within the party’s ranks?
Kurmi, representing the 101 Mariani Legislative Assembly constituency, defended his decision while speaking to with Northeast Scoop. “In a hand, there are only five fingers,” he said. “All people and leaders cannot be satisfied.” His words, meant to brush off the controversy, have instead fueled the fire. Kurmi extended warm greetings in the calendar, saying, “I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of the Moriani Legislative Assembly constituency on the occasion of the English New Year and the sacred Magh (Bhogali) Bihu, which is the very lifeline of Assamese national life.” But for many, the missing face of Sonowal, a son of the soil who rose from student politics to lead the state speaks louder than any festive message.
The calendar prominently displayed photographs of senior BJP leaders from both the national and state levels. The national leaders featured included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president JP Nadda, and senior party leader Nitin Nabin. From Assam, the calendar included Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Pabitra Margherita, and BJP state president Dilip Saikia. The absence of Sonowal from this list has added fuel to the growing debate over his political marginalisation. 
The choice of photographs is not accidental. Rupjyoti Kurmi is widely seen as being firmly aligned with the camp of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, whose grip over the Assam BJP has steadily tightened since 2021. Kurmi’s political rise and public positioning in recent years have closely mirrored Sarma’s leadership line with the Mariani MLA often speaking out in public the Chief Minister’s views and priorities. In this context, the omission of Sarbananda Sonowal is being read by many within the party as a deliberate signal of loyalty rather than an innocent oversight.
This isn’t the first time Sonowal has faced such public humiliation from his own party. Just days ago, on January 5, in his home turf of Dibrugarh, the local BJP unit pulled off a similar stunt. During a statewide wall-painting campaign to gear up for the 2026 Assembly elections, the district team invited Sonowal to the event but forgot or chose to ignore his photo on the main banner. The banner showcased other leaders, but Sonowal, the sitting MP from Dibrugarh and a Union Cabinet Minister, was nowhere to be seen. District president Dulal Bora claimed it was an oversight and that Sonowal had been invited, but the damage was done. Social media exploded with comments, with many wondering if the district leaders are scared of crossing the current Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, who seems to be calling all the shots these days.
The Dibrugarh snub came hot on the heels of growing whispers about a rift between Sonowal and Sarma. Political watchers point to the ongoing cash-for-jobs scam row as a flashpoint. Sarma has openly accused the previous government which Sonowal led from 2016 to 2021 of letting massive corruption slide in job recruitments. Opposition leaders like Congress’s Mira Borthakur Goswami have jumped in, challenging Sarma to make Sonowal speak up on the issue. “Can he make Sonowal answer on the cash-for-jobs scam?” she demanded.
Remember, Sonowal’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. From fighting against illegal immigration as a young activist to becoming Chief Minister, he symbolized hope for many in the Northeast. Under his watch, the BJP strengthened its hold, tackling issues like the NRC and border security. But since Sarma took over in 2021, things have changed. Sarma’s aggressive style from controversial remarks on women’s roles in past job scams to bold moves on land reforms has overshadowed Sonowal, who was shifted to the Union Cabinet handling ports and shipping. Insiders say Sonowal’s calm demeanor doesn’t fit Sarma’s high-octane politics, leading to these repeated ignores.
The BJP, aiming for a third term in 2026, can’t afford this infighting. Yet, events like the calendar snub and Dibrugarh banner fiasco suggest otherwise. Is the party ditching its heroes for new power players? Voters in places like Mariani and Dibrugarh, where local pride runs deep, aren’t happy. One local BJP worker, speaking off the record, said, “Sonowal brought us victory, but now he’s treated like an outsider. This hurts.”
