New Delhi: Holding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responsible for the brutal attack on Sudip Roy Barman, the party’s candidate for the June 23 Tripura by-elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday demanded that the culprits be immediately brought to book for free and fair elections to be held. “Condemn the brutal attack on senior Congress leader and party’s candidate for the upcoming Agartala Assembly Bypoll, Shri Sudip Roy Burman, by BJP members,” Gandhi said in a Facebook post.
“Congress party demands that the culprits be immediately brought to book for free and fair elections to be held,” he added.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Dr Ajoy Kumar earlier in the day alleged Tripura has become a “state of gunda raj”.
“Several rounds of brutal attacks on @SudipRoyBarman1 ji has happened since the time he left BJP but no action taken by @Tripura_Police There is no freedom left in Tripura. Tripura has become a 'State of Gunda raj'!” he tweeted.
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The Congress party’s outburst came as Barman was allegedly attacked in his home turf of Agartala late Sunday.
Barman, who had quit the BJP earlier this year to join the Congress, has been admitted to ILS Hospital in Agartala with injuries on his face and head.
The Congress leader from Tripura was attacked when was in Ujan Abhoynagar, Agartala, to meet his supporters as part of his campaign. The suspects also vandalised Barman’s car and the Congress flags after attacking him.
The by-elections to the four assembly seats in Tripura will be held on June 23 and the votes will be counted on June 26.