Regional party, Assam Jatiya Parishad has strongly condemned the “alleged harassment” of its Central Guwahati constituency candidate Kunki Chowdhury by the Assam Police and has lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam. In a statement, AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi and general secretary Jagadish Bhuyan alleged that Kunki, along with party workers and supporters in multiple constituencies, had been subjected to harassment by the police over the past few days. They termed the alleged actions as “politically motivated and an act of vendetta.”
Kunki had on Sunday appeared before the police here after being summoned in connection with a case related to alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in the recently concluded Assam Legislative Assembly elections. A case was registered on the day of the Assembly election on April 9, based on a FIR filed by a BJP worker alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and disruption of free and fair elections.
Notably, the high-stakes Central Guwahati seat is primarily witnessing a direct contest between AJP and BJP. The AJP leaders stated that such conduct was particularly unfortunate at a time when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in force and the police were under the control of the Election Commission. “Despite this, the police appear to be acting in favor of the ruling party,” the leaders alleged. Clarifying the allegations against Kunki, the AJP leaders said that as per election rules, a candidate has the right to enter polling stations. “Therefore, accusations of violating the Model Code of Conduct by entering polling booths are baseless,” they said. The party further alleged that similar harassment had taken place in other constituencies, including Knowing, where AJP candidates and workers were targeted through police action at the behest of the government. The AJP leaders said they have informed the chief electoral officer about the incidents and demanded strict action against police personnel who are allegedly acting under political influence.