GUWAHATI: In response to allegations from Assam Congress leaders claiming that their nominees for the Panchayat Elections were coerced into withdrawing their nominations, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma categorically refuted these claims, accusing the Congress party of consistently attempting to tarnish Assam’s reputation. Addressing concerns that state police were being utilized to intimidate candidates, CM Sarma dismissed these assertions, noting the lack of coverage in mainstream media. “The Congress party is making these allegations, yet I have not seen any reports in local newspapers or on television. The Rabha Hasong elections were held without any incidents.
While Assam has 22,000 villages, they have only mentioned one or two cases,” Sarma remarked on Thursday. He further asserted that should any candidate report such occurrences to the authorities, prompt action would be taken, underscoring that both the district administration and police are committed to ensuring a fair electoral process. The Chief Minister assured that the government is dedicated to maintaining a neutral and equitable election process. He encouraged Congress leaders to submit formal complaints if they felt harassed in any manner. “Please provide us with a specific complaint; if anyone has faced harassment, we will respond immediately. However, to date, no formal complaints have been lodged.
Pradyut Bordoloi and Bhupen Borah have communicated with the DGP, but no candidate has officially reported any issues,” he stated. Highlighting the absence of significant withdrawals from the election, CM Sarma noted that over 2,000 candidates have filed nominations for the 300 Zilla Parishad seats. “The individuals participating in the panchayat elections are educated. There is no substantial withdrawal occurring. This time, more candidates are contesting for panchayat positions. If such incidents were happening, they would have been widely reported,” he explained. Looking ahead, the Chief Minister expressed hope for a competitive electoral environment, suggesting that the panchayat elections could serve as a significant indicator of future political dynamics.
