Guwahati: Congress leader and AICC general secretary in charge of Assam, Bhupesh Baghel, launched a sharp attack on the BJP following a marathon organisational meeting of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee at Rajiv Bhawan. The Congress leader also made serious allegations regarding the selection of the BJP candidate for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election.
Marathon Meeting at Rajiv Bhawan
The Congress held a day-long organisational meeting at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati from 10 am to 6:30 pm on Saturday.
The meeting was attended by leaders from various party units, affiliated organisations and senior leaders. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi, MP Rakibul Hussain, Leader of the Opposition Wajed Ali Choudhury, AICC secretary Manoj Chauhan, working president Zakir Hussain Sikdar and Roselina Tirkey were among those present at the press conference held after the meeting.
Floods, alleged illegal coal and sand syndicates, price rise, the role of the Centre and state governments and the upcoming Nagaon by-election were among the issues discussed.
“Earlier They Stole Votes, Now They Are Stealing the System”
Baghel made a serious allegation regarding the BJP’s candidate selection for the Nagaon by-election.
According to Baghel, the former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner had participated in Election Commission meetings and handled the allocation of responsibilities among officials while still holding a government post. He alleged that after resigning from the post, the official was projected by the BJP as its election candidate.
Reacting strongly to the matter, Baghel said, “Earlier, the BJP only stole votes, but now they are openly stealing the entire system.”
The statement is an allegation made by the Congress leader and has not been independently established in the material provided.
Dig at Pradyut Bordoloi’s Exit
Baghel also took a jibe at former MP Pradyut Bordoloi over his decision to leave the Congress and his subsequent political position.
Baghel said Bordoloi had remained a parliamentarian while he was with the Congress but became an MLA after coming into contact with the BJP.
He sarcastically remarked that nobody would switch parties simply to move from being an MP to an MLA, suggesting that there must have been some compulsion behind the decision.
Congress Attacks Government Over Floods and Illegal Mining
The Congress leadership also criticised the state government over the recent flood situation in Assam.
Baghel alleged that the flooding in Upper Assam, particularly in Sivasagar, Jorhat and adjoining areas, was not merely a natural disaster but a man-made disaster caused by illegal mining allegedly carried out with government patronage.
Gaurav Gogoi also alleged that an illegal coal syndicate operating from Nagaland had worsened the flood situation in Nazira and Sivasagar.
The Congress leaders further raised allegations regarding the reduction of the boundaries of the Kaziranga Eco-Sensitive Zone.
Gogoi Targets BJP Over Candidate Selection
Gaurav Gogoi also criticised the BJP over its candidate-selection strategy.
He alleged that during the 2024 general election, the BJP denied tickets to some of its old workers and instead fielded leaders who had joined the party from the Congress.
Gogoi further alleged that the BJP was now preparing to field someone who had joined the party only recently in the Nagaon by-election.
Congress Prepares for Nagaon By-Election
Baghel said the Nagaon by-election was an election imposed on the people and identified inflation, shortage of fertilisers, floods and alleged misgovernance as key issues.
The Congress said it would soon send its candidate lists for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election and the Silchar Municipal Corporation election to the party high command and contest the elections with full strength.
