Murder threat: Congress in Assam moves EC against Chandra Mohan Patowary

Guwahati, December 8, 2018:

The Congress in Assam has petitioned the State Election Commission demanding action against Transport and Industries Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary for allegedly threatening voters with dire consequences, thereby violating the panchayat election code of conduct.

In a complaint lodged with the Commission, Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora said addressing a rally at Ghilajari in Solmara in Dharmapur constituency on Friday, Patowary had threatened the voters and blackmailed them thereby violating the election code of conduct.

Stating that Patowary’s act was in total disregard of the democratic system and an insult to it, the Congress wrote: “The Minister said if people vote for the Congress, they will be murdered with henchmen after the declaration of election results. He threatened that state government officials will be transferred to other places if they vote for the Congress. He also said that he will see how people, who get elected as councilors and panchayat presidents by contesting on the tickets of other political parties, work”.

In the complaint, the Congress said, “The Minister said there is the BJP government in the state and so, if the BJP is not voted, people will be deprived of the fruits of development. He also said that if he asks the BDOs or the chief executive member of the district council to not listen to the elected members of other political parties, they will not have the guts not to listen to me”.

Taking strong exception to Patowary’s assertions, the Congress urged the Election Commission to take action against him for his attempt to murder democratic values.