Mon Nov 04 15:44:30 UTC 2024: ## Congress Accuses BJP of Fielding “Bangladeshi” Candidate in Assam Bypoll

**GUWAHATI, November 4, 2024:** The Assam unit of the Congress party has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of fielding a candidate with “doubtful citizenship” in the upcoming bypoll for the Dholai Assembly constituency. The bypoll is scheduled for November 13th.

Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah alleged that the BJP is attempting to set a precedent by fielding Nihar Ranjan Das, the BJP candidate, who they claim is from Bangladesh. Borah pointed out that the allegations were made public by Amiya Kanti Das, a close associate of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Das withdrew his candidature from the Dholai seat after filing his papers as an Independent candidate.

However, Das dismissed the allegations as “falsehoods” and said that the outpouring of support for him has caused the Congress to become nervous. He also highlighted his history of studying and teaching at the Irongmara School near Silchar, southern Assam, to prove his Indian citizenship.

The Dholai bypoll has eight candidates vying for the seat, which was vacated by former Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya after he became the MP from Silchar. Among the candidates are Dhrubajyoti Purkayastha of Congress and Gour Chandra Das of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist).

While Congress is contesting all five seats in the bypolls, the BJP is contesting three. The BJP’s regional allies, Asom Gana Parishad and United People’s Party Liberal, are contesting one seat each.

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