"Ticket hopefuls forced to pay crores": Assam CM levels explosive charges against Congress

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, December 8 alleged that the Congress party tickets for the upcoming Assembly elections are being “sold” for exorbitant sums, ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 10 crore, particularly in constituencies with sizeable minority populations.

Addressing the media, Sarma asserted that several Congress aspirants have complained of being asked to pay large advances even before the official ticket announcement.

“We have received credible information that Congress leaders in Assam are demanding crores in bribes from ticket hopefuls. An advance of ₹1 crore is being sought for party tickets, and the price band for at least 22 Assembly seats has been fixed between ₹1 crore and ₹10 crore,” he alleged.

Sarma further indicated that more revelations could surface once candidate lists are announced. “The day they declare their tickets, you will hear so many reactions that you won’t need to ask me anything. I will not divulge more for now,” he added.

The Chief Minister also criticized the alleged practices surrounding internal party meetings in Delhi, stating that Congress has asked ticket hopefuls themselves to bring supporters at their own cost.
“Generally, parties arrange for people to attend such meetings. But the INC President has reportedly asked aspirants to manage their own groups. There is now a sudden spike in rail and air travel bookings from minority-dominated areas,” Sarma claimed.

He further highlighted what he termed an unethical system where multiple aspirants spend money despite only one eventually securing the ticket. “These are not candidates yet—just hopefuls. Only one will get the ticket; the rest will lose their money. Everyone is rushing to bring more people to show their strength. Is this how a party should function?” he questioned.

Sarma concluded by asserting that he is aware of internal Congress affairs through “inside sources,” remarking, “Even if something is discussed in their homes, I will get that information.”

The Assam Congress has yet to respond to the allegations.