Congress Candidate Sunil Chettri Brutally Attacked in Assam's Naduar Constituency
In a shocking incident of political violence, Congress candidate Sunil Kumar Chettri from the Naduar constituency in Sonitpur district of Assam was brutally attacked on Monday. The assault, which occurred in broad daylight, left Chettri seriously injured and has sparked a major controversy ahead of the elections.
Allegations and Denials in the Aftermath of the Attack
According to Congress officials, Chettri was allegedly attacked by a gang of BJP supporters. The party has shared video footage showing Chettri being surrounded by a group of youths who exited vehicles and assaulted him with bamboo sticks on a roadside. However, the BJP has firmly denied these allegations, calling them baseless.
BJP candidate and Chettri's main opponent, Padma Hazarika, responded strongly to the accusations. He stated that if it is proven that BJP workers were involved in the attack, he would quit politics and resign from his MLA post. "I have been MLA for 25 years. I will leave all responsibilities and go into political renunciation if they can prove that BJP workers attacked Sunil Chettri," Hazarika declared.
Injuries and Hospitalization of Congress Members
Following the violent incident, Sunil Chettri along with several Congress supporters was admitted to Tezpur Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Senior Assam PCC spokesperson Rupa Kalita was also injured in the attack and is currently undergoing medical care.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi strongly condemned the attack at Nomail in the constituency. He expressed concern over Chettri's condition, noting that the candidate had suffered serious injuries. Gogoi wished Chettri a speedy recovery while demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the violence.
Political Accusations and Calls for Electoral Integrity
Gaurav Gogoi did not mince words in his criticism of the administration. In a formal statement, he alleged that the district administration is working in favor of the ruling party. "The district administration is acting as per the directions of the ruling party and has failed to provide adequate security to opposition leaders and workers," Gogoi asserted.
He further claimed that even after the election notification was announced, the administration continued to act in favor of the ruling party, which he said undermines the Constitution and democracy. Gogoi urgently appealed to the Election Commission of India to take necessary steps to ensure free and fair elections in the region.
Counter-Allegations and Demands for Investigation
Padma Hazarika offered a different perspective on the incident, suggesting it may have been orchestrated by Congress workers themselves. He appealed to Sunil Chettri and Rupa Kalita "not to create confusion in the minds of the people of Assam" with their allegations.
The opposition has been vocal in demanding justice. Leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia called for a fair investigation into the incident and strict punishment for those involved. APCC media department chairperson Bedabrata Bora also condemned the violence and urged the election commission to ensure a free and fair electoral environment.
This violent episode has heightened tensions in Assam's political landscape, raising serious concerns about security for opposition candidates and the integrity of the electoral process in the state.
