By Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday strongly urged the Election Commission of India to put a blanket ban on Assam Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for the Assam Assembly elections and to file an FIR against him for “threatening” Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary. Congress said Sarma made blatant, scandalous, and intimidating statements because he is foreseeing the looming defeat of BJP in Assam.
The Congress’ central leadership petitioned the ECI seeking stern action against Sarma, who had allegedly threatened to send BPF chief Mohilary to jail by “misusing” the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Speaking to reporters after submitting the petition to the ECI, Congress leader Devdutt Kamath said Sarma has been openly intimidating and threatening the alliance partner of the Congress BPF by saying that they will get its leaders arrested through NIA.
This is openly seeking the help of central investigative agencies, in the ongoing Assam assembly elections, which is again totally prohibited and it is an offense under the IPC and also under the Representation of People’s Act, he added.
In the petition, the Congress said:
“…Foreseeing the looming defeat of his party, Himanta Biswa Sarma made blatant, scandalous, and intimidating statements on 29.03.2021 wherein he openly threatened… BPF chairperson Hagrama Mohilary of sending to jail by misusing the Central agency, NIA.”
The BPF is a component of the Congress-led ten-party grand alliance of Opposition. In Kokrajhar, Sarma said on Monday that the BPF chief would be jailed if found “encouraging” former militant leader MD Batha to return to the jungle. The police recently said a group of former rebels, led by Batha, had returned to the jungle.
“…he has openly threatened his opponent party, INC alliance partner Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chairperson Hagrama Mohilary of sending him to jail by misusing the Central Agency – NIA which is under the direct administrative control of the BJP led Central Government,” the Congress alleged the petition.
“By the said threat, Sarma has attempted to influence the voters to not vote for the Congress Alliance, including BPF…He has sought to cast a malicious and malafide impression on the public that on account of the undue strength of the BJP-led Central government manning the Central agencies, he is in an undue position to control/misuse the NIA and hence, capable of sending Mohilary to jail,” the Congress wrote.
It requested the Commission to exercise its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and take stern action against the Minister.
The Congress also urged the EC to grant a personal/virtual hearing to a Congress delegation, disqualify Sarma’s candidature, prohibit him permanently from campaigning during the remaining period of Assam elections, issue directions for the filing of FIR/complaint against him for violation of, inter-alia, Sections 123(2)(a)(i), 123(4), 123(7) of the Representation of People Act, 1951 and Section 171C of the Indian Penal Code and initiate action against the BJP under Section 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, to withdraw its recognition for violating model code of conduct.
Congress leader Kamath said the Commission has assured the delegation that it will call for a report from the concerned minister as also from the observers of the election commission and take an action in this regard.