Delhi: A major political confrontation has erupted in Assam after the Congress and several opposition parties jointly lodged a police complaint against Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia, accusing him of attempting to influence the state’s electoral process. The FIR was filed at Dispur Police Station, escalating allegations linked to a controversial internal meeting allegedly held earlier this month.
According to opposition leaders, an internal video conference conducted on January 4 allegedly involved instructions to party workers to identify voters who did not support the BJP across multiple Assembly constituencies. The opposition claims that workers were encouraged to initiate steps to remove such voters’ names from electoral rolls, an allegation that has triggered serious concerns as Assam is currently undergoing a Special Revision of voter lists.
Leaders from a wide spectrum of opposition parties gathered at the police station to file the complaint, presenting a rare show of unity. They described the issue as a direct threat to democratic values and demanded an impartial investigation. The opposition has urged the police to immediately secure and examine the alleged video recording, warning that any delay could result in the loss or manipulation of evidence.
Senior Congress leader Ripun Bora said the opposition was compelled to approach law enforcement after no visible action was taken by election authorities despite widespread public discussion. He alleged that the incident violates election laws and demanded accountability under the Representation of the People Act. The opposition has also submitted a detailed memorandum to the Assam Chief Electoral Officer, calling for urgent intervention.
The memorandum raises concerns over alleged irregularities during the voter revision process in certain areas of the state. Opposition parties have questioned the sudden transfer or removal of Booth Level Officers in select regions and demanded safeguards to ensure that election officials can function without political pressure. They have also sought strict scrutiny of mass objections filed against voter lists and insisted on fair hearings before any names are removed.
Meanwhile, the BJP has countered the allegations by accusing opposition parties of spreading misinformation to polarise voters. BJP leaders claim the FIR is politically motivated and aimed at protecting what they describe as illegal entries in the voter rolls. The party has also accused the opposition of using identity-based politics to influence public opinion during the sensitive revision exercise.
At a separate press briefing, BJP spokespersons alleged that opposition leaders were deliberately creating confusion around voter deletions and eviction drives to mobilise specific communities. The BJP has rejected claims of wrongdoing and accused opposition figures of attempting to derail lawful administrative processes.
