Police-state politics: Cong slams Assam CM for ‘killing democracy’ ahead of panchayat polls

GUWAHATI, April 23: The Assam Congress has accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of turning the state into a police state ahead of the upcoming Panchayat elections, claiming that democracy is being “murdered in broad daylight” through systematic police harassment and media intimidation.

Addressing a fiery press briefing at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati, senior Congress leader Charan Singh Chapra alleged that the BJP-led state government is using state machinery to suppress opposition candidates and silence dissent. “Police are being unleashed on Congress workers. This is not an election campaign—it’s an attempt to win power through fear,” Chapra said.

He described the BJP’s style of governance as “jhuth, jhumla, and jaglari”—a rule based on lies, deception, and political theatrics. “What we’re seeing in Assam is not democracy—it’s ruled by muscle power,” he stated. “If lathis and threats are the tools to win votes, then the government has already lost the people.”

Chapra highlighted the legal harassment faced by Congress spokesperson Ritam Singh and accused the government of withdrawing security from MP Rakibul Hussain in a deliberate act of political vendetta. “This is not administrative routine—this is a direct attempt to crush the opposition,” he said.

The Congress leader also slammed the Chief Minister for what he called a “desperate smear campaign” targeting MP Gaurav Gogoi and his wife. “These personal attacks show a ruling party that’s running scared. When you lose the people’s trust, you resort to slander,” Chapra added.

He raised alarm over shrinking media freedom in the state, alleging that journalists critical of the BJP regime are being targeted. “When reporters are silenced, democracy suffers. Today in Assam, truth is being punished,” he said.

Chapra challenged the BJP to let the people decide freely at the ballot box. “If they have the courage, they should stop hiding behind the police baton and face the voters,” he said. Urging the public to reject fear, he called for a resurgence of democratic awareness. “Let us not be silenced. Let us choose democracy, not dictatorship.”

He also condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, demanding a strong and united national response. “Terrorism cannot be fought with slogans alone. The Modi government must act decisively, not just offer condolences,” he said while paying tribute to the victims.

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