Congress attacks Himanta Biswa over allegations of 'fake video'

GUWAHATI: Even as the seat-sharing process is nearing its end ahead of the first phase of polls (March 27), the Congress again trained its crosshairs on an old rival -- BJP Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma -- over his terming of the Congress as a "fake news factory."

 

Stating that Himanta Biswa had "selectively targeted a representational clip of police firing on CAA protestors used by the Assam Congress", the Congress in a release chided the BJP government for its "many failures."

 

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"Himanta Biswa, in his signature style, attempted to sideline and sidetrack the real issue at hand by diverting the focus to the representational video instead of the pertinent questions raised in the video," the Congress said in its release.

 

Terming Himanta Biswa’s move as "diversionary" tactics, the Congress said that during the protests, 5 people died, several were injured and "that police did open firing while the BJP government stood by and watched."

 

The Congress further pointed out that the video raised several other issues, such as BJP failing miserably in deporting illegal immigrants, 1,600 students yet to receive appointment letters by Foreigners Tribunal, exorbitant petrol diesel prices, BJP and PM Modi’s apathy towards Assam during flood and CAA protests, and refusal to hike minimum wage of tea workers to Rs. 365.

 

Earlier in the day, Biswa Sarma had shared that a mock drill video from Jharkhand had been shared as Assam Police firing at anti-Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA) protestors by the Congress.

 

Sharing the video on Twitter, Assam Pradesh Congress had urged people to take a look at the video and before casting vote for any party.

 

Assam assembly polls for a total of 126 seats are scheduled to be held from March 27 to April 6 in three phases.