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Congress Lodges FIR Against Assam BJP President for Controversial Remarks

By Shajid Khan |

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Assam BJP President Bhabesh Kalita at the Bhangagarh Police Station in Guwahati. The complaint alleges that Kalita made controversial and unconstitutional statements regarding the Arunodoi Scheme during a public meeting on September 19.

According to the FIR, Kalita declared that only BJP members would benefit from the Arunodoi Scheme and threatened the public, stating that they must give a missed call to a specific number used for BJP membership enrolment to avail the scheme's benefits. He also warned that those who do not submit proof of BJP membership would not receive the monthly ₹1,250 payment under the scheme.

A delegation of Congress leaders, led by APCC Social Media and IT Department Chairman Ratul Kalita, condemned the remarks, terming them as an attempt to intimidate the public and misuse government welfare programs for political gain.

Speaking to the media, Ratul Kalita claimed that Kalita has "lost his mental balance" and is trying to safeguard his position by scaring the public. He also criticized the BJP leadership, asserting that the funds for the Arunodoi Scheme are public money, and every citizen has the right to receive its benefits, regardless of their political affiliation.

APCC Secretary Kridip Barman addressed the media, asserting that welfare schemes funded by taxpayers should be distributed equally to all beneficiaries, without political bias. He accused the BJP-led government of using public schemes for their political interests by instilling fear among the public.

The Congress delegation, which included APCC Vice President Rupa Deuri, General Secretary Arun Tiwari, Secretary Kridip Barman, Geetali Das, Manas Pratim Talukdar, and A.T. Habib Ahmed, demanded the immediate arrest of Kalita for his statements.

 

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Shajid Khan's picture

Recipient of The Annual Colosseum Awards 2014 & 2015 (by The Assam Tribune group), Shajid Khan is an Independent journalist based in Assam. He has contributed numerous political, socio-political stories for bountiful national,international as well as Assam based publications including The New York Times,Firstpost,The Telegraph. He also pens down analytic commentary on print and web based publications.

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