Sarma urged the Congress state leadership to take responsibility for what he described as internal differences rather than blaming other political parties
KRC TIMES Assam Bureau
Guwahati | Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has alleged that the violence reported during a Congress campaign convoy in Samaguri was the result of an internal clash within the opposition party, and urged its state leadership to address factional differences.
Sarma made the remarks in a social media post on September 22, a day after a Congress campaign convoy was allegedly attacked with stones in Samaguri while travelling to an election meeting. The convoy included Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
Congress has alleged that BJP supporters were responsible for the incident and said its leaders were confronted with black flags and slogans before stones were thrown at vehicles. A police complaint was subsequently filed. The circumstances surrounding the confrontation and responsibility for the alleged violence have not been independently established.
Sarma said the incident occurred in the Samaguri Assembly constituency, represented by Congress MLA Tanzil Hussain, son of Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain.
“At its core, this was a clash between rival factions within the Congress itself,” Sarma said in his post.
The chief minister also referred to the constituency’s electoral record, saying Congress had secured 1,45,212 votes in Samaguri in the last Assembly election, compared with 36,902 votes polled by the BJP. He also noted the constituency’s predominantly minority population.
Sarma urged the Congress state leadership to take responsibility for what he described as internal differences rather than blaming other political parties.
The clash comes amid campaigning for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, scheduled for October 6. Congress has fielded Sibamoni Bora, with senior leaders including Gogoi and Rakibul Hussain campaigning for her.
Sarma said political differences should not lead to violence or disturb public order.
“Political rivalries within a party should never be allowed to spill onto the streets and disturb the peace and harmony of society at large,” he said.
