Nagaon Bypoll: Sarma, Venugopal Trade Charges Over Convoy Attack

GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 22nd Sept: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal traded allegations on Monday after a Congress campaign convoy was allegedly attacked with stones in Nagaon district, escalating tensions ahead of the October 6 Lok Sabha bypoll.

The incident occurred in the Barma area of Samaguri while Congress leaders were travelling to a public meeting as part of the party’s campaign. The convoy included Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Congress candidate Shivamoni Bora and other leaders. Several vehicles were reportedly damaged.

Police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse a crowd that had gathered and waved black flags. Stones were also reportedly thrown at CRPF personnel deployed at the spot. Security forces subsequently brought the situation under control.

Sarma, in a post on X, attributed the incident to what he described as rival factions within the Congress. He referred to the Samaguri Assembly constituency, represented by Congress MLA Tanzil Hussain, and said the Congress state leadership should take responsibility for its internal differences rather than shift the blame.

The Chief Minister also said political rivalry should not spill onto the streets or disturb public peace.

Venugopal rejected the allegation and accused BJP workers of targeting Congress leaders. He alleged that Baghel, Gogoi and Bora were subjected to a “brutal stone pelting attack” and questioned the Election Commission over what he described as political violence during the campaign.

Congress leaders have separately alleged that BJP workers were behind the incident, but the allegation has not been independently established.

The clash comes amid intensified campaigning for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll. The Election Commission has scheduled polling for October 6, with counting on October 9.