Massive protest by Congress workers in Assam's Barpeta over seat sharing deal with CPI(M), threaten mass resignation

Massive protests erupted at Rajiv Bhawan in Barpeta Road after reports emerged that the party may concede the Bhawanipur–Sorbhog constituency to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) as part of alliance arrangements. Furious party workers openly protested against the decision, warning of mass resignation if the Congress fails to field its own candidate in the constituency.

The unrest was triggered following indications that the central leadership of the Indian National Congress may once again leave the Bhawanipur–Sorbhog seat to the CPI(M), a move that workers described as a “betrayal” of loyal party workers who have nurtured the constituency for years.

Protesters gathered in large numbers at Rajiv Bhawan, raising slogans against the alleged decision. Senior party functionaries said they have worked with unwavering dedication for the Congress over the years, only to see the seat repeatedly sacrificed in the name of alliance politics. According to them, such decisions have demoralised cadres and weakened the party’s organisational structure at the grassroots level.

The immediate flashpoint was the reported decision to back sitting MLA Manoranjan Talukdar in the Bhawanipur–Sorbhog constituency. Agitated workers accused Talukdar of betraying the Congress during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and declared that they would not accept him under any circumstances.

Addressing the media, several protesters alleged that the CPI(M) lacks a strong organisational base in the constituency and that conceding the seat would effectively hand over years of Congress groundwork to an alliance partner with limited local presence. They appealed to the party’s high command to reconsider the decision and respect the sentiments of the constituency’s grassroots workers.

In a stern warning, the protesters declared that if the seat is formally handed over to the CPI(M), every Mandal Committee in the Bhawanipur–Sorbhog constituency would collectively resign ahead of the elections, a move that could severely damage the Congress’s prospects in the region.