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Tag: Assam elections

  • Assam Assembly elections: Congress holds protest over EVM row

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: Following a controversy over a polling team in Assam carrying an EVM in the vehicle belonging to the wife of a BJP candidate, the Congress on Saturday held a protest against the incident and alleged that the ruling party in the state is indulging in electoral manipulation.

    Amid slogan-shouting by the party workers, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Ripun Bora urged the Election Commission to take strict action against the BJP leaders who carry out illegal activities that hamper the polling process.

    The protest rally was not allowed to move forward on the busy arterial G S Road and stopped at the gate of the state Congress headquarters ‘Rajiv Bhawan’.

    Bora submitted a memorandum to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Law and Order) Debaraj Upadhaya to send it to the Office of Chief Electoral Officer of the state.

    Violence had broken out in Karimganj district of Assam on Thursday night after a crowd spotted the BJP candidate’s vehicle being used to transport a polled EVM to the strong room, forcing the police to fire in the air to bring the situation under control.

    The incident snowballed into a huge controversy on Friday morning with the opposition Congress and AIUDF alleging that the EVM was being “stolen”, prompting the Election Commission to suspended four poll officials and order a repoll at the booth as a video of the fiasco went viral on social media.

    According to a district official, the vehicle of the polling party of the 149-Indira MV School in the Ratabari constituency broke down on its way to the strong room in Karimganj town, and they took a lift on a private car.

    Incidentally, the car was registered under the name of the wife of the sitting BJP MLA from Patharkandi Krishnendu Paul who is seeking re-election from the same seat this time, the official had said.

    Ratabari is currently represented by BJP MLA Bijoy Malakar, who is contesting the election as well.

    “Krishnendu Paul was found carrying an EVM in his car.

    This was done in violation of the Election Code of Conduct and the laws laid down under the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951,” Bora said, citing his party’s memorandum.

    He also alleged that people found several EVMs in a vehicle not requisitioned for election purpose near Hatipura polling station in Diphu town.

    “Several voting machines were also seized in Jamunamukh constituency when being carried by government officials without security personnel.

    An EVM was missing from a polling booth in Kalaigaon segment,” the Congress claimed in its representation to the CEO.

    Congress Campaign Committee chairman Pradyut Bordoloi said, “We urged the EC to uphold the sanctity of political representation in a democracy and take action against the glaring misuse of power by the ruling regime in Assam.

    ” “The party and the people are convinced that the BJP is rattled, that is why it is resorting to treachery to win the elections,” he alleged.

    Meanwhile, the Election Commission reduced the 48-hour campaign ban imposed on Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma to 24 hours after he tendered an “unconditional apology” and assured the poll panel that he will abide by the provisions of the model code.

    The BJP leader now can start campaigning from Saturday evening.

    He was on Friday initially barred from campaigning- related activities till April 4 for allegedly making threatening remarks against Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary.

    The Congress had approached the EC demanding action against Sarma for his remark that Mohilary would be sent to jail through central probe agency NIA if he does “extremism” with rebel leader M Batha.

    The BPF is an ally of the Congress in Assam.

    It was previously with the BJP.

    Canvassing for the third and final phase of Assam assembly elections comes to an end on the evening of April 4.

    The final phase of polling will be held on April 6.

    The Assam Congress chief also urged the poll panel to take action against state minister Pijush Hazarika who allegedly threatened two journalists for reporting about a controversial campaign speech by his wife.

    The minister is contesting from the Jagiroad constituency where polling took place in the second phase on Thursday.

  • It is Congress’ history to spread communalism by collaborating with communal parties: Nadda at Assam

    By ANI
    GUWAHATI: Taking a swipe at the Congress for its alliances in various states, BJP president JP Nadda on Saturday said the Congress, which itself is associated with communal parties, alleges that the BJP is communal.

    “In Kerala, they are fighting against Communist Party of India (Marxist), and in Bengal and Assam, they are with CPI(M), so what is their thought. If we talk of communalism, in Kerala they are with the Muslim League (Indian Union Muslim League), they are with Abbas (Siddiqui) in Bengal, and here in Assam with Badruddin (Ajmal). And they call us communal,” said the BJP leader.

    He said that it is Congress’ history to “spread communalism” by “collaborating with communal parties”, and added, “the people of Assam know this and they have taught them a lesson in two phases and they will also do so in the third as well.”

    When asked about Rahul Gandhi’s statement calling Badruddin part of Assam’s culture, Nadda said, “Rahul Gandhi’s information is limited, he has lesser knowledge of Assam’s culture. The day before yesterday, he (Gandhi) threw a gamcha, so is that the identity of Assam? Or Assam’s identity is Shreemant Sankar Dev, Gopinath Bordoloi or Bhupendra Hazarika? They are the identity of Assam’s culture and language.”

    Nadda also said that the people who practice politics of opportunism are in a “desperate situation” will take support of “such type of people” (Baddruddin).

    Badruddin Ajmal is the chief of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF). Congress has stitched a broad alliance in Assam that includes AIUDF, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, the Anchalik Gana Marcha (AGM), and the Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF).

  • Assam polls 2021: EC transfers minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s cop brother from Goalpara district

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: After barring Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning in the assembly polls for 48 hours, the Election Commission has also transferred his brother and Goalpara Superintendent of Police Sushanta Biswa Sarma from the district.

    An order issued by the Commission on Friday said that Sarma shall be transferred to some suitable post in the state headquarters and IPS officer Veera Venakata Rakesh Reddy shall be posted with immediate effect as the new Superintendent of Police of Goalpara district, which will go to polls in the third and last phase on April 6.

    The order, signed by EC Under Secretary Love Kush Yadav, also stated that the compliance report shall be furnished to the Commission immediately. The EC on Friday barred the senior Assam minister from campaigning for 48 hours for allegedly making threatening remarks against Bodoland People’s Front Chief Hagrama Mohilary.

    The Commission barred him from holding any public meetings, processions, rallies, roadshows, interviews and utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours with immediate effect on April 2.

    Campaigning for the third and final phase of the assembly elections ends on April 4 at 6 pm. Following the EC order, the minister tweeted, “I am asked by ECI to stop campaigning for the next 48 hours. Therefore, all my meetings scheduled for tomorrow stand cancelled.”

    I am asked by ECI to stop campaigning for next 48 hours. Therefore all my meetings scheduled for tomorrow stand cancelled.
    — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 2, 2021

    The Congress had filed a complaint with the EC on March 30 alleging that Sarma had openly threatened the BPF chief, an alliance partner of the grand old party, violating the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.

    The minister replied on Friday to the show cause issued to him, which he released on his Twitter handle, but the Commission did not find his reply satisfactory.

    AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, the prime target of the BJP’s verbal attacks in the ongoing polls, reacted on Twitter, “Threatening, spreading hatred, bullying leaders, stealing EVMs…there is nothing that the BJP won’t do.”

    He welcomed the ECI’s decision in support of Mohilary who was “threatened with retribution through state agencies”.

  • Election Commission bars Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for 48 hours

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday barred Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for 48 hours with immediate effect for allegedly making threatening remarks against Bodoland People’s Front chief Hagrama Mohilary.

    “…The Commission hereby strongly condemns the impugned statements made by Himanta Biswa Sarma..”

    “The Commission..bars him from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows, interviews and public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from immediate effect on April 02 (Friday),” the order read.

    Sarma has thus been barred from campaigning and related activities till April 4.

    Campaigning for the third and final phase of Assam assembly elections comes to an end on the evening of April 4.

    The final phase of polling will be held on April 6.

    In his reply on Friday to the EC notice, Sarma denied the allegations.

    But the EC said it did not find Sarma’s reply satisfactory.

    The Congress had approached the EC demanding action against Sarma for his remark that Mohilary would be sent to jail through central probe agency NIA if he does “extremism” with rebel leader M Batha.

    The Bodoland People’s Front is an ally of the Congress in Assam.

    It was previously with the BJP.

    On Thursday, the EC notice to Sarma quoted transcript of the speech provided by the state election machinery.

    “If Hagrama does extremism with Batha he will go to jail. This is a straight talk. If Hagrama encourages Batha, he will go to jail. Already got lot of evidence. This case is being given to NIA,” according to a portion of Sarma’s speech made part of the notice.

  • No deliberate or mala fide intention to disrupt poll process: EC’s special observer on Assam EVM row

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission’s (EC) special observer on Friday said there was no “deliberate or mala fide intention” to disrupt the poll process after a controversy erupted in Assam when a polling party carried an EVM after voting in a vehicle that belonged to the wife of a BJP candidate from a neighbouring seat.

    The observer said the incident appears to be an isolated one “due to the total negligence and foolishness of the presiding officer and his team”.

    The commission ordered a repoll on Friday at a polling booth in Assam’s Ratabari Assembly constituency after the controversy.

    To prevent the polling team from being assaulted in Karimganj by a mob, which alleged that the electronic voting machine (EVM) was being taken for tampering, police had to use force.

    In a statement earlier in the day, the EC said the presiding officer and three other officials were placed under suspension.

    The special observer also recommended that action be taken against the armed escort officer for leaving behind the stranded polling party and not ensuring its safe arrival at the destination.

    He said there does not seem to be any ground to change the RO (returning officer) as it appears to be an isolated incident “due to the total negligence and foolishness of the presiding officer and his team”.

    “There is otherwise no deliberate or mala fide intention in the incident aimed to disrupt the polling process,” the special observer said.

    To ensure credibility and fairness, it is appropriate to order a repoll in PS (polling station) number 149 – Indira MV School of LAC 1 Ratabari, the observer added.

    “Consequent to commission’s decision, Presiding Officer Sahab Uddin Talukdar, First Polling Officer Sourav Acharjee, Second Polling Officer Abdul Mumit Choudhary, Third Polling Officer Sahab Uddin Tapadar have already been placed under suspension since forenoon today,” the poll panel said.

    Thereafter, on the receipt of the special general observer’s report, Armed Escort Officer Luhit Gohain, Sub-Inspector of Police (Armed Branch) of the 3rd Assam Police Battalion, Titabor, was also suspended, it added.

    “Although the seals of the EVM were found intact, it has nevertheless been decided to do a re-poll at No.149 – Indira M V School of LAC 1 Ratabari (SC) as an added precaution,” the poll panel said in the afternoon.

    According to the details made public by the EC, the polling party of polling booth number 149 of the Ratabari constituency consisted of a presiding officer and three polling personnel.

    They were accompanied by a police constable and a home guard.

    After the completion of polling at 6 pm on Thursday, the polling party left in a vehicle provided by the election authorities and was escorted by an armed escort.

    It was raining heavily and the vehicle developed a snag.

    “Due to traffic congestion and the prevailing weather condition, the party became detached from its convoy,” the EC statement said.

    The polling party got off the vehicle and asked the sector officer over the phone to arrange for another one.

    While the sector officer was arranging for a vehicle, the polling party decided to arrange one on its own to reach the Material Receipt Centre faster since it was in custody of polled EVMs.

    The polling party stopped a passing vehicle and boarded it along with the EVM, comprising a ballot unit (BU), a control unit (CU) and a paper trail machine (VVPAT), and other things, without checking the ownership of the vehicle.

    As reported by the polling party, the vehicle moved towards Karimganj and had to slow down due to traffic.

    As the vehicle slowed down, it was surrounded by a mob of about 50 people that started pelting stones at the polling party.

    The mob also abused them and did not allow the vehicle to pass.

    When they asked the leader of the mob, he said the vehicle belongs to Krishnendu Paul, the BJP candidate from a neighbouring constituency (Patharkandi LAC-2), and alleged that “the EVM was being taken to be tampered with”.

    “It was only then that they realised that something was amiss and alerted the sector officer. However, a larger crowd had gathered by then and they were attacked and held hostage by a mob along with the EVM in the vehicle at 2145 hrs, alleging that the EVM was being taken to be tampered with,” the statement said.

    “In the meanwhile, the antecedents of the vehicle were ascertained and it was found to be registered in the name of Madhumita Paul, wife of contesting candidate, Patharkandi LAC (legislative assembly constituency) No 2, Krishnendu Paul,” it added.

    Police reached the spot along with the district election officer and used force to pull out the polling party.

    Later, on examination, the seals of the polled EVM were found to be intact with no damage whatsoever.

    “All the items have been deposited in the strong room,” the statement said.

  • Opposition parties press for disqualification of Assam Minister from polls for threatening scribes

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: Opposition Congress, AIUDF, Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Dal on Friday demanded immediate disqualification of Minister Pijush Hazarika from Assembly polls for allegedly threatening two journalists for reporting a controversial election speech of his wife.

    An FIR has been registered against Hazarika, who is Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, with Jagiroad police station in Morigaon district on the basis of complaint filed by the concerned journalist Najrul Islam.

    The complainant has also been provided a police bodyguard with immediate effect.

    In an audio clip telecast by Assamese news channel Pratidin Time, Hazarika was heard talking to journalist Nazrul Islam and, during the conversation, the minister threatened him and another scribe, Tulsi, to drag them out of their homes and “vanish” them.

    Addressing a press conference here, All India Congress Committee General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala condemned the threats of Hazarika and said his outburst is a signal of his loss from the Jagiroad constituency.

    The AIUDF Organisational General Secretary Aminul Islam slammed the BJP leader and said the power has made him arrogant and disrespectful.

    Raijor Dal Advisers Sitanath Lahkar and Ghanashyam Nath said there are enough grounds under relevant sections of the law to disqualify the BJP minister from the ongoing elections.

    “We strongly condemn the language and threat to journalists by minister Pijush Hazarika. He behaved like a goon. The Election Commission should immediately disqualify him and that is our demand,” Lahkar said.

    There are sufficient grounds as per the Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 and Section 171C of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 to disqualify the minister, he added.

    “A journalist worked as per his ethics and Hazarika threatened to make him disappear, drag him and break his legs. What does it mean? Is it not a language of a goon? “Unfortunately, we are seeing that the ECI is not taking actions as required. They need to be more strict,” the Raijor Dal Advisers said.

    The Assam Jatiya Parishad General Secretary Jagadish Bhuyan too condemned the threat to a journalist and demanded immediate action against the BJP minister.

    Hundreds of journalists, advocates, students, intellectuals and other sections of the society came out on roads during the day and protested against Hazarika’s threats to the two scribes and demanded immediate arrest of the BJP minister.

    The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) have also condemned the action and asked the ECI to disband him from the polls.

    The Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, Assam and demanded to disqualify Hazarika from Assembly polls.

    The Gauhati Press Club (GPC) also condemned the “act of intimidation in the strongest words” and said that it is very unbecoming of a public representative to threaten a journalist of dire consequences, no matter what.

    Hazarakia said in the phone conversation, which has now gone viral, that he was “sad” because the news was related to his wife Aimee Baruah, who in campaign for her husband a few days ago made a controversial comment on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

    At a public meeting a few days ago in Jagiroad constituency of Hazarika, Baruah was seen stating that the people from the Bengali community will be thrown out of the country if the CAA is not implemented.

    Hazarika, who is in the fray from Jagiroad constituency where voting is over, could not be reached for his comment on the issue.

  • Assam polls: Congress launches all-out attack after EVMs allegedly found in BJP candidate’s car

    Express News Service
    GUWAHATI: The Congress on Friday launched an all-out attack on the Election Commission and the BJP hours after electronic voting machines (EVMs) were retrieved from the car of a “BJP MLA”.

    “We have written to the Election Commission asking it if it is a party to EVM theft or it has closed its eyes like Dhritarashtra. The EVMs were found in the vehicle of BJP’s Patharkandi candidate (and sitting MLA) Krishnendu Paul and you have ordered re-poll at a booth in Ratabari constituency. How did you do that? Did you conduct a probe of how the EVMs made their way into Paul’s car? Shouldn’t Paul and others be arrested? Why the EC is not showing the guts to act is our question,” Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala told journalists in Guwahati.

    He wondered if the EC was giving its back to its constitutional duties. “The EC’s credibility is being questioned today,” he said. Surjewala raised some questions and asked the Commission to answer. He asked what made it to transport EVMs in the vehicle of a BJP candidate.

    ALSO READ | Two injured as police fires rubber bullets to prevent mob from snatching EVM in Assam

    “In Hatipora of Karbi Anglong, EVMs were found in a luxury car. From when has the EC started transporting EVMs in luxury cars? It has to answer this. In Jamunamukh, EVMs were found in another vehicle. There were government officials in it but it was not escorted. There are standing Supreme Court directions that EVMs can be transported, before and after an election, only in the custody of paramilitary forces,” Surjewala said.

    He asked if it was true that an EVM disappeared from a booth in Kalaigaon and later, retrieved by the voters. He wanted to know what actions the EC had taken if the incident was true. “In Dibrugarh, the movement of suspicious people was noticed at the strong room. What action was taken?” Surjewala asked.

    He claimed the Congress-led and 10-party grand alliance of Opposition would get three/fourth majority in the polls. The third and final phase of which will be held on April 6.

    “The BJP should now be named EVM Chor Party. It will not gain much by stealing two-four EVMs. People have already given their verdict. We are winning with three/fourth majority,” Surjewala said, adding, “Staring at defeat, the BJP is doing what it usually does. It should gracefully accept defeat”.

  • Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra cancels Assam poll campaign due to ‘exposure to coronavirus’

    By Online Desk
    After exposure to coronavirus, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, one of the star campaigners for the UDF in Kerala, has announced that she is self-isolating on doctor’s advice.

    The Congress General Secretary has self-isolated after her husband Robert Vadra tested positive for COVID-19. 

    The congress leader had been campaigning in the South for the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and was headed to Assam next.

    Gandhi took to Twitter to announce her cancellation of her Assam tour. Priyanka’s Tamil Nadu and Kerala visits will also be cancelled due to this development.

    “Recently due to exposure to corona infection, I have to cancel my Assam tour. My report from yesterday has come negative but on the advice of doctors, I will be in isolation for the next few days. I apologize to all of you for this inconvenience. I pray for Congress victory,” Priyanka wrote on Twitter. 

    हाल में कोरोना संक्रमण के संपर्क में आने के चलते मुझे अपना असम दौरा रद्द करना पड़ रहा है। मेरी कल की रिपोर्ट नेगेटिव आई है मगर डॉक्टरों की सलाह पर मैं अगले कुछ दिनों तक आइसोलेशन में रहूँगी। इस असुविधा के लिए मैं आप सभी से क्षमाप्रार्थी हूँ। मैं कांग्रेस विजय की प्रार्थना करती हूँ pic.twitter.com/B1PlDyR8rc
    — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) April 2, 2021

    Earlier, Kerala UDF leader K Muraleedharan was miffed because of the eleventh-hour cancellation of her roadshow in Nemom.

    (With inputs from ANI)

  • After EVM found in car of Assam BJP MLA’s wife, EC suspends four and orders repoll

    By Express News Service
    GUWAHATI: Amidst the brouhaha after an EVM was found in a car registered in the name of the wife of Assam BJP MLA Krishnendu Paul, the Election Commission has suspended the Presiding Officer and three other officials and sought a report from the Special Observer.

    Narrating how the EVM made its way into the car, the Commission said the polling party of No 149 – Indira MV School of Ratabari seat in Karimganj district was returning in a convoy with an armed escort led by the Police Sector Officer. It was raining heavily leading to the roads being muddy.

    “NH-8 is the only artery road leading to Karimganj from remote areas of the district. Since it was polling day and the poll closes at 1800 hrs, about 1,300 vehicles were returning on the single highway, as all polling parties return to Karimganj from 1800 hrs onwards. Combined with the inclement weather, this had led to unprecedented traffic congestion on the highway,” the EC said in a statement.

    Breaking : Situation tense after EVMs found in Patharkandi BJP candidate Krishnendu Paul’s car. pic.twitter.com/qeo7G434Eb
    — atanu bhuyan (@atanubhuyan) April 1, 2021

    It said when the polling party was approaching Nilam Bazaar, the vehicle broke down at about 9 pm. Due to traffic congestion and the prevailing weather condition, the party became detached from its convoy. It alighted from the vehicle and called the Sector Officer on his mobile and informed him. While the Sector Officer was arranging for an alternate vehicle, the polling party decided to arrange a vehicle on its own so as to reach the Material Receipt Centre faster since they were in custody of a polled EVM.

    “At about 21:20 hrs, the polling party hailed a passing vehicle and boarded it along with their EVM and other things without checking the ownership of the vehicle…As reported by the polling party, they moved towards Karimganj and as they reached Kanaishil in Karimganj at about 22:00 hrs, they had to slow down in the traffic…

    “As they slowed down, they were surrounded by a mob of about 50 people which started pelting stones at them. The mob also started abusing them and did not allow the vehicle to pass. When they asked the leader of the mob, he replied it was the vehicle of Sri Krishnendu Paul who is a contesting candidate of a neighbouring constituency (Patharkandi) and levelled allegations that the EVM was being taken to be tampered with,” the EC statement reads.

    EC issues factual report on incident involving EVM in Assam.Polling party 149-Indira MV School of LAC 1 Ratabari (SC) met with incident. Party comprised a Presiding Officer & 3 polling personnel. They were accompanied by police personnel comprising a constable & a homeguard:EC pic.twitter.com/irm3DEr6KV
    — ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2021

    The statement said it was only then that they realised something was amiss and alerted the Sector Officer. However, a larger crowd gathered by then and the poll party was attacked and held hostage by a mob along with the EVM in the vehicle at 21:45 hrs alleging that the EVM was being taken to be tampered with.

    “Immediately after receiving information about the incident, DEO Karimganj along with SP Karimganj rushed to the spot and reached there at 22:20 hrs. Also in the meanwhile, the antecedents of the vehicle were ascertained and it was found to be was registered in the name of Smti. Madhumita Paul, wife of contesting candidate, Patharkandi Krishnendu Paul. On arrival at the spot, it was observed that the crowd was pulling out the polling party and was about to assault them. The mob had turned violent and damaged the glass of the vehicle by stone pelting,” the statement said.

    During the course of the stone pelting, the SP sustained minor injuries on his collarbone and blank firing had to be resorted to disperse the mob. The first polling officer was found missing in the commotion, the EVM and the remaining polling party were safely escorted from the area and taken into the control of the DEO at 22:20 hrs.

    “On examination, the polled EVM comprising of BU, CU and VVPAT was found to be with its seal intact without any damage whatsoever. All the items have been deposited in the strong room. The first polling officer was missing until the wee hours of the morning of April 2 as he was hiding in the undergrowth nearby and a search operation was being conducted all night. This delayed the transmission of this report by a few hours…

    “In this regard, the Presiding Officer was issued show-cause notice for violation of the transport protocol. Thereafter, the PO & 3 other officials have been placed under suspension. Although the seals of the EVM were found intact, it has nevertheless been decided to do a re-poll at No. 149- Indira MV,” the statement added.

    A senior Assam journalist had shared a video of the incident and it went viral on the social media.

    It drew the attention of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who said every time there is an election, videos of private vehicles caught transporting EVMs show up. Unsurprisingly they have the following things in common:

    “The vehicles usually belong to BJP candidates or their associates. The videos are taken as one-off incidents and dismissed as aberrations. The BJP uses its media machinery to accuse those who exposed the videos as sore losers,” Priyanka said.

    She also said: “The fact is that too many such incidents are being reported and nothing is being done about them. The EC needs to start acting decisively on these complaints and a serious re-evaluation of the use of EVMs needs to be carried out by all national parties”.

    The Congress demanded the disqualification of Paul who is seeking re-election from Patharkandi.

    “It is shocking that an EVM machine is found in a vehicle registered in the name of a BJP candidate. This is a conspiracy and a criminal act. We demand this candidate is disqualified and action taken against every officer involved. It is clear that BJP is losing Assam. They are using illegal means to win elections,” All India Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev said.

    The party’s Assam chief Ripun Bora tweeted: “We expect the Election Commission to take immediate action and explain how this could happen. The Congress party will consider boycotting the election if this open loot and rigging of EVMs does not stop immediately.”

    Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi wrote: “It is the same script in every election – Election Commission car broke down, EVM machines transferred to car belonging to BJP, later officials find out after public express their anger. Election Commission needs to save itself before public trust is eroded completely.”

  • Case registered after vehicle of BJP candidate carrying EVM attacked in Assam

    By ANI
    KARIMGANJ (Assam): Violence broke out in Karimganj district of Assam on Thursday night after a mob spotted a BJP candidate’s vehicle being used to take a polled EVM to the strong room, forcing the police to fire in the air to bring the situation under control.

    The vehicle of the polling party of Indira MV School in the Ratabari constituency broke down on their way to the strong room in Karimganj town, officials said on Friday morning.

    “They took a lift in a private vehicle. Incidentally, the vehicle was registered under the name of sitting BJP MLA from Patharkandi Krishnendu Paul. When it reached Nimal Bazar area, some public spotted it,” an official of the district administration said.

    Paul is also the BJP candidate from the seat this time.

    The mob, mostly consisting of AIUDF and Congress supporters, vandalised the vehicle, upon which the polling party ran away, leaving behind the EVMs, eyewitnesses said.

    “The Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police reached the spot immediately and they tried to pacify the mob. But the crowd did not listen, forcing the police to fire in the air to disperse them,” police sources said.

    The DC and the SP then brought the EVMs to Patharkandi police station at night, from where it was taken and deposited at the strong room in Karimganj town, they added.

    Ratabari and Patharkandi constituencies went for polls in the second phase on Thursday.