Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has strongly refuted allegations by the Congress party, accusing it of attempting to tarnish the state’s image as the upcoming panchayat elections draw near. The polls, set to be held in two phases on May 2 and May 7, have sparked a heated political dispute, with Congress leaders claiming that their candidates are facing intimidation to withdraw nominations.
Sarma dismissed these accusations as baseless, challenging Congress to provide concrete evidence of any misconduct. “Congress is always trying to defame Assam,” he stated, asserting that the state administration remains impartial in the electoral process. He further noted that if such incidents were occurring, they would have been widely reported, questioning the opposition’s credibility.
Congress leaders, including state president Bhupen Kumar Borah and senior leader Pradyut Bordoloi, have alleged that police are pressuring their candidates, creating an uneven playing field. Borah reiterated concerns about the state’s law and order, pointing to a recent attack on himself and Congress MP Rakibul Hussain as evidence of a deteriorating situation under Sarma’s leadership.
The controversy comes amidst a charged political atmosphere, with the panchayat elections seen as a critical precursor to the 2026 Assam Assembly polls. Sarma, addressing the media in Karbi Anglong, emphasized the BJP’s strong position, claiming that the party has already secured 200 anchalik panchayat and 18 zila parishad seats uncontested, suggesting Congress has effectively conceded ground.
The State Election Commission reports that approximately 1.8 crore voters are expected to participate across 25,007 polling stations, electing representatives for various panchayat positions. As tensions rise, both parties are intensifying their campaigns, with the BJP banking on its governance record and Congress focusing on allegations of corruption and mismanagement to sway public opinion.
The ongoing war of words underscores the high stakes of the rural polls, with both sides vying for grassroots support in a state where political rivalries have long shaped electoral outcomes.
