Silchar civic polls: BJP, Congress stage shows of strength on last day of nominations

The BJP, its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Congress on September 11 staged shows of strength as candidates filed nominations for the Silchar Municipal Corporation elections on the last day of the nomination process.

Candidates contesting from all 42 wards filed their nomination papers at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School between 11 am and 3 pm.

BJP candidates marched to the nomination centre from the Shillong District Sports Association ground, carrying party flags and slogans, while Congress candidates took out a procession from Indira Bhawan before reaching the venue.

Several BJP leaders and ministers were present during the nomination filing.

Speaking exclusively to Aaj Tak, Assam minister Parimal Suklabaidya launched a sharp attack on the Congress and said the BJP's goal of a "Congress-mukt Bharat" was becoming a reality.

Referring to former Congress leader Sushmita Dev's association with the BJP, Suklabaidya said her family had been associated with the Congress for three generations, but she was now campaigning alongside BJP candidates and raising slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".

Sushmita Dev, meanwhile, said she believed that working with the BJP was necessary to bring development not only to India but also to Silchar.

Calling the upcoming civic election a "jackpot election", Dev expressed confidence that every BJP candidate would win.

She also launched a scathing attack on the Congress, alleging that the party had now become a "business organisation", where buying and selling had become a business.

Dev alleged that such practices had extended from the state Assembly to the municipal corporation elections.

"My father was a very senior Congress leader, but the Congress that existed then is no longer there," she said, alleging that the party had now been reduced to a platform where "everything is up for sale".

The Silchar Municipal Corporation election is scheduled to be held on October 3, with counting of votes set to take place on October 4.

The election is expected to be a key political contest in Silchar, with the BJP and Congress seeking to consolidate their respective support bases in the urban constituency.