Assam Bypolls: Bharatiya Janata Party leaders on Saturday claimed that a party worker who was allegedly injured in pre-poll violence in Assam’s Nagaon district died on Friday, October 25. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that he was "killed by INC goons" and slammed the grand old party for "orchestrating poll violence and undermining democracy".
The deceased, Bipul Saikia, was allegedly injured during a rally at Kawoimari area under Samaguri constituency on Thursday during a clash between BJP and Congress workers. Several others, including journalists, sustained injuries in the incident, police said. Although police did not confirm whether the BJP worker died due to injuries sustained in the poll violence, they stated that the death report has been received, news agency PTI reported.
Additional SP (headquarters) Arup Jyoti Kalita said, "We have learnt of the death, but we have not received any complaint on the possible cause of death."
CM Sarma condoled the incident saying, "My deepest condolences to the family of our BJP Assam karyakarta from Samaguri, Late Bipul Saikia, who was violently attacked and killed by goons of INC. Those responsible will be held accountable."
"This crime is a grim reminder of the Congress' deception, those who chant 'Samvidhan Bachao' are the very ones orchestrating poll violence and undermining democracy. The sacrifice of our karyakartas shall not go in vain," he said in a post on X.
Confirming Saikia's death, Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah expressed sorrow over the loss of a dedicated party worker who he said was attacked by Congress supporters. He accused the the grand old party, particularly its leader Rakibul Hussain, of inciting violence during the rally. Hussain's son Tanzil is the opposition candidate.
Hussain is a former state Cabinet minister who has represented Samaguri for 23 years. He vacated the seat after he won from Dhubri earlier this year in the Lok Sabha elections.
BJP candidate for Samaguri, Diplu Ranjan Sharma, offered condolences to Saikia's family, assuring them that his death won't go in vain. He also assured them that the people of the constituency would seek justice for Saikia by casting ballots in BJP's favour.
A police officer told PTI that Hussain had filed a complaint at the Samaguri police station, alleging that the BJP workers attacked the rally. The saffron party members have also lodged a separate complaint, alleging assault by the Congress supporters. Two other complaints were registered by local journalists.
Meanwhile, Samaguri BJP candidate has filed his nomination papers in the presence of several senior BJP and leaders of its ally AGP, including Baruah, state BJP chief Bhabesh Kalita, and Cabinet ministers Pijush Hazarika and Keshab Mahanta.