Sun Nov 10 07:55:01 UTC 2024: ## Violence Erupts in Assam By-Election Campaign, Both BJP and Congress Accuse Each Other
**Nagaon, Assam:** Tension is high in the Samaguri Assembly constituency in Assam, where by-elections will be held on November 13th, as both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress accuse each other of violence.
The latest incidents, which occurred on Saturday, involved alleged shootings and assaults. The BJP claims a shot was fired from a Congress worker’s house targeting the vehicle of ruling party MLA Jitu Goswami, while Congress alleges that a BJP worker shot at Imam Uddin, son of former Congress panchayat member Ismail Hussain, injuring his leg.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned the violence, accusing the Congress of resorting to intimidation tactics. “This is the same Congress that proudly holds up the Constitution for the cameras, yet resorts to violence under cover of darkness,” he stated on social media.
MLA Goswami demanded immediate action against the attackers, alleging that Congress MP Rakibul Hussain instigated the violence with a provocative speech. Journalists covering the events also reported being manhandled by Congress supporters.
Congress MP Rakibul Hussain, campaigning for his son Tanzil, the party’s candidate for the by-election, condemned the violence, accusing the BJP of “barbaric attacks.” He also alleged that local police were biased in favor of the BJP, failing to investigate the incidents impartially.
The incident has further escalated tensions in the lead-up to the by-election. While the BJP aims to secure the seat in the strategically important Nagaon district, the Congress is determined to retain its stronghold. The by-election is being closely watched for its potential impact on the political landscape in the state.
First Piper 