Guwahati: Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, has sharply criticised the State Election Commission (SEC) and the state police, accusing both of acting in a partisan manner during the ongoing panchayat elections.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Saikia alleged that the SEC has remained “completely silent” on what he termed as blatant violations of the Model Code of Conduct by the ruling BJP-led alliance.
He further accused the police of acting as an “extension of the ruling party” rather than an impartial force.
Saikia claimed that opposition parties, including the Congress, had filed multiple complaints regarding misconduct by BJP leaders during the campaign, but no action has been taken.
He cited instances where ruling party legislators allegedly promised inclusion in government schemes in exchange for votes and issued threats of exclusion for non-supporters—actions he said were captured on video and submitted as evidence.
“Despite providing concrete proof, including video footage, the Election Commission has failed to act. The police, meanwhile, are operating like the BJP’s personal force,” Saikia said.
He also asserted that public sentiment was shifting against the BJP due to what he called its “anti-people policies,” adding that opposition parties were receiving encouraging support from voters.
“The people are ready for a change at the grassroots level, and this could be a sign of things to come in the next Assembly elections,” he said.
Saikia also responded to repeated allegations by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma targeting Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi over alleged links to Pakistan. He dismissed the claims as a political diversion.
“Having failed to deliver on promises, the BJP is resorting to distractions. They first tried to polarize voters with communal rhetoric, which failed. Now they are dragging Gaurav Gogoi’s name to shift attention,” he said.
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The chief minister and BJP leaders have accused Gogoi, who serves as Deputy Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, of having connections to Pakistan’s spy agency through his spouse—allegations the Congress has strongly denied.
The panchayat elections are being conducted in two phases—on May 2 and May 7—across 27 districts in Assam.
This is the first local body election since the delimitation of constituencies. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 11.
