Tension erupts at Assam's Cachar Congress Bhawan over Silchar civic poll ticket distribution

Tension reportedly erupted at the Cachar District Congress Bhawan over the selection of candidates for the upcoming Silchar Municipal Corporation election, with a section of disgruntled Congress workers allegedly vandalising the chamber of district Congress president Sajal Acharya.

According to reports, the angry workers, who claimed to have been denied party tickets, allegedly entered Acharya’s chamber and damaged office property. It was also alleged that the district Congress president’s chair was removed from his chamber and taken outside during the protest.

The protesters reportedly objected to the party’s decision regarding Ward No. 27. According to the aggrieved workers, Partha Das had applied for the party ticket from the ward and his name was included in the candidate selection panel until the afternoon of September 10.

However, the party subsequently decided to field Susmita Das as its candidate from the ward, prompting protests among supporters of Partha Das.

During the agitation, former MLA Misbahul Islam Laskar was also reportedly surrounded by protesting workers, who sought answers over the candidate selection process.

Partha Das alleged that Cachar District Congress president Sajal Acharya, Silchar City Congress president Atanu Bhattacharya and former MLA Misbahul Islam Laskar were responsible for his denial of the party ticket.

He also levelled allegations of financial transactions in the distribution of party tickets, claiming that candidates were allegedly selected in exchange for money.

The allegations regarding vandalism, the ticket selection process and alleged financial transactions could not be independently verified. A response from the Congress leaders named in the allegations was not available immediately.

The incident has highlighted growing discontent within the party over candidate selection ahead of the Silchar civic polls.