Guwahati, October 9 (Daily Kiran) : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took aim at the Congress party and other opposition groups following the BJP’s victory in the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election. Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma accused the opposition of attacking the Election Commission instead of addressing voter concerns.
He expressed frustration over the opposition’s criticism of the Election Commission, stating that issues such as the voter list and alleged illegal immigration are being overlooked. Sarma noted that whenever the BJP wins an election, the opposition quickly shifts blame to the Election Commission.
Sarma emphasized the need for opposition leaders to engage with the public rather than create a ruckus. He raised the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, questioning whether it is not the responsibility of the Election Commission to remove ineligible voters from the rolls.
“Yesterday, we apprehended around 100 Bangladeshis in Guwahati. If they evade police capture, they could end up on the voter list six months later,” he remarked. He insisted that the Election Commission’s duties should extend beyond adding eligible voters to also include removing those who do not meet the criteria.
The Chief Minister criticized the opposition’s strategy of bringing people to Delhi for protests, alleging that these demonstrations aim to exert pressure on officials. He urged opposition leaders to visit Assam and witness the challenges faced by its residents, particularly concerning the serious issue of illegal immigration.
Sarma claimed that over the past year, several individuals who allegedly entered Assam illegally from Bangladesh have been sent back. However, he acknowledged that authorities typically only manage to apprehend a fraction of such cases.
The Nagaon by-election result has garnered attention due to the significant minority voter population in the area, where Congress previously secured victories in the last two Lok Sabha elections. Sarma’s comments come amid ongoing political disputes regarding voter lists and the Election Commission’s role in managing them.
According to Indian election law, it is the responsibility of voter registration authorities to ensure that voter lists comply with legal eligibility standards, including citizenship requirements.
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