APCC President launches fierce attack on Election Commission, BJP govt at massive Congress rally in Raha’s Pakhimoria
By Dalim Phukan
Guwahati, Sep 27: A massive election campaign rally was held today under the aegis of the Pakhimoria Block Congress Committee under the Raha Assembly constituency in support of Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bye-election.
Addressing the gathering, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President and MP Gaurav Gogoi launched a blistering attack on the BJP government and the Election Commission of India, stating that the Nagaon bye-election is not just an ordinary contest to win a single seat, but an epochal struggle to protect the nation’s Constitution, democracy, and citizens’ voting rights. In his address, Gaurav Gogoi voiced deep apprehension over the impartiality of the Election Commission of India.
He alleged that the Election Commission is manipulating voter lists and electoral processes under pressure from the top leadership of the ruling BJP. Citing the unexpected outcome in Raha constituency during the previous Assembly elections despite a certain victory for Congress candidate Utpal Bania, he stated that instead of ballot boxes, voter rolls are now being manipulated to delete names. He further alleged that deliberate attempts are being made to disenfranchise the new generation of voters who seek enrollment via Form 6.
The APCC President noted that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had strengthened democracy by granting voting rights to the nation’s youth at the age of 18. In contrast, the present BJP dispensation is engaged in a conspiracy to erode the value of the vote of ordinary underprivileged citizens, students, women, and workers. He remarked that the younger generation in Assam and across the country has completely rejected the BJP’s divisive and communal politics.
Stating unequivocally that Hindu-Muslim communal politics cannot work in this land of harmony fostered by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev and Azan Pir, he asserted that youth power has risen above fear to defend democracy. MP Gaurav Gogoi strongly condemned the attack by BJP supporters on the convoy of Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora in Samaguri during the campaign.
He expressed outrage over the passive stance of the administration despite such a barbaric incident involving stones and bottles being hurled at a woman candidate’s vehicle. Urging the public to deliver a fitting democratic rebuff to forces practicing the politics of crime and intimidation, he said that to safeguard the Constitution and voting rights, people must unite and vote for the ‘Hand’ symbol to ensure a resounding victory for Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora.
Meanwhile, in an interaction with journalists, APCC President Gaurav Gogoi took a sharp jibe at Gyanesh Kumar, remarking that the BJP would likely appoint him as their party president. He said, “We had heard about the BJP’s IT cell, but now a BJP IT cell has been opened right inside Gyanesh Kumar’s office.
The BJP is attempting to capture the country’s voter lists. Gyanesh Kumar must state openly who is directing him to carry out these unlawful acts.”The campaign rally was attended by AICC Secretary and APCC Co-in-charge Manoj Chauhan, MP Rakibul Hussain, former Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia, MLA Ashraful Islam, Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress President Mira Borthakur Goswami, District Congress President Runumoni Bora, youth leader Utpal Bania, alongside numerous leaders and workers across state, district, and block Congress committees. The spontaneous and overwhelming public turnout reflected the people’s strong confidence in the Congress party ahead of the elections.
