Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi/Guwahati, Mar 9: Gaurav Gogoi on Monday accused the BJP-led government in Assam of suppressing political dissent after police seized copies of a Congress “chargesheet” targeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and arrested four party workers in Guwahati.
Addressing reporters in the national capital, the Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP alleged that the police action reflected the ruling party’s reluctance to face criticism from the Opposition. He said the seizure of pamphlets published by the Indian National Congress indicated the government’s fear of public scrutiny.
“The Chief Minister portrays himself as a powerful and fearless leader, yet his government is afraid of a few pamphlets highlighting the failures of the ruling party,” Gogoi said, questioning why authorities had acted against the documents if the government was confident about its performance.
Congress leaders said the pamphlets contained allegations of corruption against Sarma and his wife and were being transported for public distribution when police intercepted the vehicle late Sunday night in Guwahati. Four party workers—Pranjit Pator, Akshay Kumar Bordoloi, Zainal Abedin and Rakibul Haque—were detained and later arrested. Two of them are associated with the National Students’ Union of India.
The incident prompted senior party leaders to visit the Dispur Police Station on Monday. Meera Borthakur and Bedabrat Bora sought clarification from the police over the confiscation of the materials.
Borthakur said the chargesheet had been officially released during a press conference held during Priyanka Gandhi’s recent visit to Assam. She claimed that printed copies were later dispatched for distribution when police allegedly stopped the vehicle carrying them.
Questioning the action, Borthakur said any objections related to election material should be raised by the Election Commission of India.
She added that the document included allegations related to alleged transfers of tribal land to the Adani Group and claims regarding the accumulation of wealth by the Chief Minister’s wife.
Meanwhile, the arrested workers were produced before a court, and the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee said bail petitions had been filed. Advocate Amon Wadud appeared for the accused in court.
Congress leaders have indicated that the party may pursue legal action over the seizure of the documents and the arrests.