A sharp political confrontation has unfolded in Assam between senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia and Assam minister Ashok Singhal of the BJP. The dispute centers around allegations of land ownership in the reserved tribal belt of Sonapur, a matter that has ignited widespread discussion across the state. The tension began after Ashok Singhal publicly challenged Saikia to prove his claims, prompting Saikia to respond decisively and escalate the confrontation.
The controversy traces back to November 4, 2025, when Debabrata Saikia, Leader of the Opposition in Assam, made statements alleging encroachment of land in the Sonapur Tribal Belt. According to Saikia, certain plots of land in the tribal belt, which hold significant cultural and social importance, were under questionable ownership, implicating some influential political figures. These statements drew an immediate and firm response from Ashok Singhal, who sought to challenge Saikia’s claims publicly.
Speaking to Northeast Scoop, Debabrata Saikia said, “I am not here to make empty claims or create noise. The people of Assam have the right to know the truth. That is why I am publishing the official company documents showing the land in Sonapur. If Minister Ashok Singhal truly believes he has no property there, let him come forward and swear an affidavit. The truth cannot be hidden, and the people are watching. This is not about politics; this is about accountability and transparency.” 
Ashok Singhal, a senior BJP leader and Assam minister, issued a forceful rebuttal, stating that if Debabrata Saikia could prove even an inch of land belonging to him or his family was illegally occupied, he would quit politics, leave Assam, and retire to a life of sanyas in the Himalayas. The minister’s statement, widely reported in media outlets including India Today, left little room for ambiguity, emphasizing his confidence that no such land existed in his name or that of his family members.
In response to this strong challenge, Debabrata Saikia accepted without hesitation. Posting on social media, he addressed the minister directly, stating: “Honorable Minister Mr. Ashok Singhal Dangoriya, yesterday you publicly challenged me to prove that there is land listed in your name in the Sonapur Tribal Belt. You may have thought I was just blowing hot air, but the people have a right to know the truth.”
Saikia’s response went beyond mere verbal counterarguments. He provided concrete documents to support his claims, including the latest financial statements of Protech Buildcon Private Limited for the fiscal year 2023–2024. According to these documents, Protech Buildcon Pvt. Ltd., in which Ashok Singhal’s other companies—AI Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd. and Associated India Pvt. Ltd.—hold major stakes, lists “Land at Sonapur” under “Property, Plant and Equipment” with a value of Rs. 134.06 lakh (approximately Rs. 1.34 crore). Saikia highlighted that this figure was recorded in official company accounts, certified by a Chartered Accountant.
By publishing these documents, Saikia argued that the allegations were not based on hearsay but on verifiable evidence. He further noted that media reports and even statements from Singhal’s own security personnel confirmed the land’s location and ownership. Saikia questioned the minister’s earlier claim of having no property in the tribal belt and demanded transparency. “If the land next to Zubeen Garg’s Kshetra truly isn’t yours, then we demand the government allocate that land to the Kshetra,” Saikia stated, highlighting the cultural significance of the area and the public interest involved.
In his social media statement, Saikia also reversed the challenge onto Ashok Singhal, daring him to swear an affidavit within 24 hours clarifying that neither he, his family, nor any of his associated companies own any land in Sonapur. He pressed the minister to provide specific details, including dag and patta numbers, to prove his claims and remove any doubts in the public eye.
The documents shared by Saikia further provide detailed information about Singhal’s business holdings. For instance, AI Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd. and Associated India Pvt. Ltd., both linked to the minister and his family, hold multiple shares in Protech Buildcon Pvt. Ltd. The balance sheets and shareholder lists reveal significant financial stakes and detailed records of land ownership, which Saikia claims directly contradict Singhal’s public statements.
According to the company records, Ashok Anand Singhal, along with family members including Indumati Singhal and Shilpi Anand Singhal, hold substantial shares in these companies. The balance sheet of Protech Buildcon Pvt. Ltd. lists land at Sonapur as a tangible asset worth Rs. 134.06 lakh in both FY 2022 and FY 2023–24, underlining continuity and official recognition of the property. Saikia emphasized that these records are certified by chartered accountants, making them legally valid and difficult to dispute.
The opposition leader’s move to publish these documents marks an escalation in Assam’s political discourse. Saikia’s statements criticized Singhal for being an outsider who has allegedly prioritized personal property over public welfare. “The people of Assam are mourning and grieving today, and at such a time it is disgraceful for someone who came from outside to become a minister and busy themselves with growing their personal property,” he said. Saikia’s remarks reflected deep public sentiment, especially among local communities who are sensitive about land rights in reserved tribal areas.
This political exchange has sparked widespread attention across Assam, with citizens and media closely following the developments. The debate touches upon several key issues: transparency in public office, land ownership in protected areas, and the accountability of political figures with business interests. Saikia’s insistence on evidence-based allegations has put pressure on Ashok Singhal to respond formally and provide clarity.
Saikia’s challenge also alludes to prior controversies involving land transactions in Assam. He mentioned past attempts to transfer land in Dhekiajuli, allegedly belonging to a women’s association, into Singhal’s family’s name. Though these transactions were not fully detailed in his current statements, the references have heightened public scrutiny of the minister’s activities and property holdings.
The unfolding scenario reflects the intersection of politics, business, and public accountability in Assam. The opposition has framed this confrontation as a fight for transparency and the rights of the local people, especially concerning lands of cultural and social significance. On the other hand, the BJP and Ashok Singhal have characterized the allegations as politically motivated, insisting on the accuracy and legality of their records.
