Guwahati, Sep 22 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday claimed that the violence during an election campaign for the upcoming Nagaon bypoll in the Samaguri locality was the result of a clash between rival factions within the Congress and advised the state leadership of the opposition party to address its internal differences.
Sarma’s remarks came a day after a Congress campaign convoy carrying senior leaders, including Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, was allegedly attacked with stones in the Barma area of Samaguri while heading to an election meeting.
Congress has alleged that BJP supporters were behind the incident, while police and other reports have confirmed that a confrontation took place.
Sarma referred to the political history of the Samaguri Assembly constituency and said the incident should be viewed in the context of divisions within the Congress.
“At its core, this was a clash between rival factions within the Congress itself,” Sarma said.
He pointed out that Samaguri is represented by Tanzil Hussain, son of senior Congress leader and Dhubri Lok Sabha MP Rakibul Hussain.
Sarma also cited the previous Assembly election figures, saying Congress had secured 1,45,212 votes in the constituency against 36,902 votes polled by the BJP.
The Chief Minister urged the Congress state leadership to take responsibility for its internal differences instead of attributing the incident to rival political parties.
“The Congress state leadership must take ownership of its internal differences and rein in its factions instead of conveniently attempting to shift the blame elsewhere,” he said.
Congress leaders, however, have maintained that the convoy was targeted by BJP supporters. The party alleged that black flags were waved and “Go Back” slogans were raised before stones were thrown at vehicles carrying its leaders. A police complaint was subsequently filed.
The incident occurred during campaigning for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, scheduled for October 6. Congress has fielded Sibamoni Bora, and senior leaders have been campaigning in her support.
Sarma said political differences should not spill onto the streets 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.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation and responsibility for the alleged stone-pelting remain subject to investigation.
–IANS
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