NAGAON, Sept 27: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday campaigned for Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora at a public meeting in Kachua under the Raha Assembly constituency, intensifying the party’s campaign for the October 6 Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election.
Addressing the gathering, Gogoi said the Congress would continue its campaign despite alleged obstacles and the display of black flags. Raising slogans such as “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor”, he accused the BJP of manipulating elections to retain power and alleged that the party had formed the Assam government by “stealing votes” in the previous Assembly election.
Gogoi also alleged that stones had been thrown at Sibamoni Bora and accused the BJP of resorting to such tactics out of fear of the opposition. He criticised the Election Commission of India, alleging that the poll body was functioning in favour of the BJP government. These were political allegations made by Gogoi.
Gogoi also reacted to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s reported remarks praising Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and suggesting that he should be awarded the Bharat Ratna.
AICC secretary Manoj Chauhan said the alleged throwing of stones at a woman candidate was an act of disrespect. He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the Election Commission to facilitate alleged vote theft.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia, MLA Ashraful Islam, election observer Arman Ali and former MLA Jayanta Khaund were among the Congress leaders who attended the meeting, along with party workers and supporters.
