Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued instructions to all concerned departments to acquire prior permission from his office to use his picture for hoardings and advertisements. 

This instruction from the Assam chief minister comes after stand-alone banners were noticed across Guwahati city on the occasion of birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi. 

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While, the banners, which paid tributes to Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi on his birth anniversary, carried a life-sized picture of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, a small picture of Gopinath Bordoloi could be seen at the corner. 

Reacting to this CM Sarma tweeted: “I do not endorse this kind of branding at all. Instruction has been issued not to use my picture from now onwards without prior approval of my office.” 

Also read: Assam: Free ‘A slice of Gahoree’ for Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain for five years

Earlier last month, a major debate broke out in Assam, when banners appeared across Guwahati city that wished Lovlina Borgohain good luck for her Olympic games.  

Although the banners were for Lovlina, but she was nowhere to be seen on them. Instead, locals spotted pictures of the ministers themselves on the banners.  

The Assam ministers including chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were severely criticised by the people of the state for the “self-publicity” banners.