Assam opposition leader accuses BJP of unfair tactics in Jorhat Lok Sabha seat

GUWAHATI: Debabrata Saikia, the leader of opposition in the Assam assembly, filed a formal complaint with the election commission of India (ECI) on Thursday (April 18), alleging that the BJP was resorting to unfair tactics to sway voters in the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency.

Saikia accused BJP leaders of engaging in the “distribution of liquor, offering bribes, and attempting to intimidate voters” in an effort to garner support for the saffron party in Assam.

He highlighted an incident where several bottles of liquor were confiscated from a vehicle belonging to a member of the Nazira town committee in Sivasagar district of Assam.

The vehicle, registered under the name of a female member of the town committee, was discovered at the office of the executive engineer and assistant executive engineer of the public health engineering department (PHED) at Nazira in Sivasagar district of Assam.

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Saikia asserted that these actions by the BJP were clear attempts to influence voters through illicit means, as outlined by the election commission’s model code of conduct (MCC).

In his formal complaint, Saikia urged the election commission to enhance vigilance and patrol efforts, particularly in tea garden areas and villages at Nazira in Sivasagar district of Assam.

He emphasized the need to prevent the ruling party from exerting “undue influence” on voters through unfair practices.

Nazira falls within the jurisdiction of the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency in Assam, which is scheduled for polling in the first phase of elections on Friday (April 19).