Chief Minister Accuses Congress of Demanding 3-4 Crore for Tickets in Miya Muslim-Dominated Constituencies
Staff Reporter, Tezpur, 2 January
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has levelled serious allegations against the Congress party. According to him, the Congress demands up to three to four crore rupees from candidates in exchange for party tickets in assembly constituencies dominated by Miya Muslims. The Chief Minister made these remarks while attending a government programme in Thelamara, Sonitpur district, on Friday.
The Chief Minister stated that in the previous assembly elections as well, the Congress had collected huge amounts of money in the name of selling tickets but did not refund it to the candidates. This time too, he claimed, they are charging Rs 50,000 as application fee for candidacy. He further alleged that even in constituencies where allied candidates are contesting, the money is taken but not returned.
“The entire system of the Congress is based on money. In the BJP, there is no need to pay even a single paisa to apply—it’s completely free. But in the Congress, bargaining has begun. Some have already made advance payments,” the Chief Minister remarked sarcastically.
At the same event, the Chief Minister also commented on the Raijor Dal, led by MLA Akhil Gogoi. In the context of the Congress’s announcement to field candidates in over 100 seats, he said, “If Akhil Gogoi’s party genuinely wins 26 seats, that would be a big achievement for them. They lack a strong organisational base and are facing difficulties even in finding candidates.”
During the programme, the Chief Minister also touched upon the historic Jonaki cinema hall in Tezpur, which is associated with Jyotiprasad Agarwala and is currently under private ownership. He informed that the government is considering acquiring it.
Regarding the weapons recovered from the residence of Karbi Anglong’s Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang, the Chief Minister said those are police weapons and that politicising the issue is inappropriate. He added that spreading propaganda based on baseless allegations is wrong. He advised everyone to speak responsibly, noting that it has now become easy to create fake videos using artificial intelligence (AI).
On the issue of doubtful voters, he said local people can raise objections and such matters cannot remain hidden. He highlighted that the people of Assam are educated and aware.
The Chief Minister clarified that there is no question of evicting the Bodo community living in the Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonitpur district. Arrangements are being made to grant them land pattas in accordance with the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
At the same event, the Chief Minister virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several development projects. Foundation stones were laid for upgrading Tezpur Medical College and Karmabir Chandranath Sharma College to super-speciality hospitals. The Sarakahat Mini Stadium was also inaugurated. The total cost of these projects is approximately 300 crore rupees, he stated.
Under the Chief Minister’s Mahila Udyamita Scheme, 30,400 women each received assistance of Rs 10,000. He also announced that cheques worth 34 crore rupees would be distributed in Borchola. Through this scheme in the state, 32 lakh women have benefited, of whom 8 lakh have become lakhpatis and several thousand have become multi-lakhpatis, the Chief Minister claimed.
