Cong alleges rigging in 11 booths of Samaguri, Cong leader booked in Behali

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 13, 2024

Allegations emerged of harassment and attempted rigging by ruling party members in the Behali and Samaguri constituencies during the by-elections on Wednesday.

Police arrested Charaideo District Congress president Utpal Gogoi, prompting Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and MLA Asif Nazar to intervene. Both leaders approached the Jinjia police outpost to request Utpal Gogoi’s release. When the police declined their request, the MP and MLA refused to leave the outpost, staging a sit-in to advocate for his release.

Congress spokesperson Rhituporna Konwar claimed that a viral video showed BJP MP Ranjit Dutta threatening Congress worker Biplav Das near polling booth No. 79 in Nakunia under the Behali constituency. Konwar alleged that the voice in the video belonged to Dutta.

“These allegations have raised concerns about the conduct of the by-elections in these constituencies. The Election Commission is expected to investigate these claims to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process,” Konwar added.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Borah has raised strong concerns about the fairness of the ongoing by-elections in the Behali and Samaguri constituencies. Borah criticized the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, calling it an “authoritarian rule” that has led to allegations of voter intimidation and election rigging.

Borah specifically demanded that the Election Commission investigate claims that MP Ranjit Dutta had threatened voters in the Gangmau area of Behali constituency. He also pointed to irregularities at multiple polling stations in the Samaguri constituency, listing several schools and centers where alleged instances of rigging were reported.

“Some of these include Bhagamukh Moktab Schools, Puthikhaiti Primary School Centres, and Shalmari Primary School Centres,” he added.

Borah voiced concerns about the overall integrity of the election process in these constituencies, urging the Election Commission to deploy additional security measures, including CCTV surveillance and paramilitary forces, to sensitive polling booths.

He further accused the Election Commission of failing to take these issues seriously, alleging that the body had become a “puppet” under the influence of the ruling government.

Borah also called for arrangements to be made to review CCTV footage if necessary, to ensure transparency and uphold the credibility of the elections.