Assam CM Hits Back at Congress Over Panchayat Poll Allegations

GUWAHATI: Following Assam Congress leaders accusing their Panchayat Election nominees of being intimidated into withdrawing their nominations, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma firmly denied the allegations, blaming the Congress party of "always attempting to defame Assam."

Replying to reports that the police of the state were being employed to intimidate the candidates, CM Sarma rejected the reports, citing the scarcity of mass media reporting on the matter. "Congress is saying this, but I have not heard the news in local dailies or on television channels. The Rabha Hasong election was conducted, but no untoward incident took place. There are 22,000 villages in Assam, but they have cited only one or two examples," Sarma stated on Thursday.

He further stated that if any candidate reported such incidents to the administration, immediate action would be taken, emphasizing that the district administration and police are maintaining neutrality to ensure peaceful elections.

The Chief Minister gave a guarantee that the government has pledged to keeping the election process neutral and just. He invited Congress leaders to file formal complaints if they were being harassed in any way.

"Provide us with a specific complaint, if anyone has harassed you, then we will act immediately. But till now, there is no report that anyone has filed a complaint. Pradyut Bordoloi and Bhupen Borah have informed the DGP, but no candidate has formally filed a complaint," he said.

Pointing out that there has been no large-scale withdrawal of contestants, CM Sarma informed that more than 2,000 contestants have submitted nominations for the 300 Zilla Parishad seats. "People who are fighting in the panchayat elections are educated. There is no huge withdrawal going on. More people have fought for panchayat seats this time. If such an incident were occurring, it would have been widely reported," he said.

In the future, the Chief Minister hoped for an intense electoral race, implying the panchayat elections could be a worth indicator before next assembly elections.

"You know the outcome that will occur. I want them to contest together. If there is a competition, then even before the assembly polls, we will also get an idea of where we are. Nearly one year has elapsed since the Lok Sabha polls, and a year is left before the assembly elections. The BJP desires the panchayat election to be held in such a way that it will show the sentiments of the people. We are heading in that direction," Sarma said.

ALSO READ:

ALSO WATCH: