A recent post on X by a BJP MLA has stirred a political storm in Assam. Mrinal Saikia, BJP MLA from Khumtai constituency, is under discussion for a post he made during his recent visit to Kerala.
During his trip to the southern state, Mrinal Saikia shared a video highlighting Kerala’s rural tourism and wrote:
“I want to help people, but I don’t believe in 100% freebies. These practices will win some elections but ruin a generation. I am in Kerala right now to see how Rural Tourism works… and people earn with dignity. As long as we don’t understand dignity of labour, no power on Earth can save us, the Assamese people.”
I want to help people, but I don’t believe in
100 % freebies. These practices will win some elections but ruin a generation.
I am in Kerala right now to see how Rural Tourism works .. and people earn with dignity .As long as we don’t understand dignity of labour no power on Earth… pic.twitter.com/UvWK5otdnO— Mrinal Saikia (@Mrinal_MLA) June 14, 2025
The post has triggered widespread speculation and debate, with many questioning whether Saikia is indirectly criticizing his own party’s government in Assam. His comment about not believing in “100% freebies” is being interpreted as a veiled reference to Assam’s welfare schemes, which have been a significant focus of the state BJP government.
In contrast to Saikia’s views, Assam’s beneficiary schemes and the significant expenditure of public funds on them have been a topic of debate. Opposition parties and conscious citizens have alleged that the government uses these schemes as a tool to secure votes in elections. At the same time, concerns have been raised that excessive free benefits are making some people reluctant to work. Parallelly, the current Assam government has been borrowing heavily, leading to accusations that it is funding these beneficiary schemes through loans. In this context, Saikia’s post naturally invites scrutiny, as he explicitly stated that such practices may win elections but could destroy a generation.
In the same post, Saikia highlighted Kerala’s rural tourism, emphasizing the “dignity of labour” and warning that without understanding its value, no force can save the Assamese people. This comment is highly relevant in the context of concerns that the current government’s excessive freebie schemes are fostering a work-averse attitude among some sections of society.
Additionally, by praising Kerala’s well-organized rural tourism system, Saikia has implicitly critiqued Assam’s BJP government. While Assam’s BJP government focuses heavily on beneficiary schemes, a state governed by an opposition party has successfully built a robust rural economy.
Notably, Saikia has previously drawn attention for taking stances contrary to his party. He faced criticism within the BJP for congratulating Congress candidate Gaurav Gogoi, who won the Jorhat constituency in the last Lok Sabha elections. Furthermore, his comments regarding BJP minister Jayanta Malla Baruah and some leaders from Lower Assam have also brought him into the spotlight.