BJP candidate from Morigoan Ramakanta Deuri accused of hiding second wife in nomination affidavit

Fresh controversy has erupted in Assam’s election landscape as BJP candidate and sitting MLA Ramakanta Deuri faces the prospect of his nomination being cancelled over allegations of furnishing incorrect information in his election affidavit.

According to complaints submitted to the Election Commission of India, Deuri allegedly failed to disclose complete details about his marital status. 

Despite reportedly having two wives, he is accused of mentioning only one (Lurjemai Deuri) in the sworn affidavit filed with his nomination papers.

However, the name of his second wife, Sewali Deuri, was omitted from the election affidavit.

The issue has drawn further scrutiny as records from previous elections indicate that Deuri had declared both spouses in his affidavits during the 2016 and 2021 Assembly polls, raising questions over the discrepancy in the current filing.

The matter was formally raised by Banikanta Das, the candidate of the Assam Jatiya Parishad, along with his legal advisor Aminul Haque and associate Ratul Bora. They submitted a complaint before the Returning Officer of Morigaon constituency, alleging suppression of facts and seeking appropriate action.

The development was disclosed during a press conference held at the district Congress office, where opposition leaders termed the allegations serious and demanded strict scrutiny of the nomination.