India, March 26 -- The war of words between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has intensified during the ongoing election campaign with the naming of Barpeta Medical College emerging as a fresh political flashpoint.

Addressing Vijay Sankalp rallies in Sarthebari and Bajali, Sarma criticised Gogoi over his promise to rename Barpeta Medical College after former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. Responding to Gogoi's remarks made during a campaign in Mandia on March 25, the Chief Minister said Gogoi "would need to be born seven times to match our efforts," asserting that the medical college was named after the place and not after any individual.

Sarma's comments came as he campaigned for alliance candidate...