Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday stepped up his attack on the Congress, alleging that the party is selling election tickets in exchange for money and that senior leaders are using the proceeds to organise extravagant wedding ceremonies.
Commenting on seat-sharing arrangements, Sarma said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would independently decide how many seats it allocates to its allies, including the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Gana Shakti and the BPF-UPPL alliance. “How many seats the BJP gives to AGP, Gana Shakti or BPF-UPPL is our decision,” he said.
Drawing a comparison, the Chief Minister said it was entirely an internal matter for the Congress to decide how many seats it gives to its allies such as Raijor Dal or the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP). However, he stressed that there must be a clear boundary that should not be crossed.
“There is only one thing that should not happen—tickets must not be sold for money,” Sarma said.
Reiterating his allegation, Sarma claimed that tickets had already been purchased and that the money collected was being used to host grand wedding ceremonies. “Everyone is watching. How much money the Congress has taken to give tickets will become clear after ticket distribution,” he said.
The Chief Minister further asserted that once tickets are officially allotted, even the candidates themselves would raise the issue publicly. “What I am saying today will also be said by the candidates on the day tickets are announced, because I have confirmed and reliable information. Others will echo the same allegations,” he claimed.
Taking a final swipe at the Congress, Sarma alleged that this practice of collecting money—from weddings to elections—would continue throughout the poll process, accusing senior Congress leaders of turning ticket distribution into a fundraising exercise rather than a democratic process.
