Congress questions ECI’s silence after attack on leaders’ convoy during Assam election campaign
The Congress on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) questioned the Election Commission of India’s silence on the alleged attack on a convoy carrying former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who is also the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary for Assam, state party chief Gaurav Gogoi and other party leaders during a campaign for the Lokgapol seat. The party sought an independent investigation into the incident.
A convoy faced stone pelting on Monday (September 21, 2026) in the assembly segment in Samaguri, which the Congress called a “planned murderous attack” aimed at intimidating its leaders and workers ahead of the October 6 bypoll. The party said acid was thrown at the convoy and that masked attackers used iron rods in the attack. It also claimed that the incident occurred despite management being alerted to the possibility of trouble.
Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh said the incident was not an isolated incident but a “shameful attempt” by the BJP, with the “tacit approval” of the Election Commission of India, to avert a likely defeat by resorting to violence.
“During the Modi government, the nation has witnessed a double standard when it comes to the security of opposition leaders and workers during elections – from Tripura and West Bengal to Assam,” Ramesh said in a post in Hindi on X.
“Research is now an arena for violence”
The Congress also accused the Election Commission of India of maintaining “silence” on the violence during the elections. Mr. Ramesh said questions about the poll panel’s impartiality and transparency, including its management of the election process, are already being raised across the country.
“Elections are supposed to be a celebration of democracy, yet the BJP, blinded by the arrogance of power, has turned it into an arena of violence,” he alleged.
Addressing a press conference here, AICC General Secretary Naseer Hussain said that a report should be sought from Nagaon District Commissioner and Superintendent of Police and strict action should be taken against those responsible for the attack.
“The Election Commission is silent on the deterioration of law and order that we are all witnessing,” said Mr. Hussain, a member of the Rajya Sabha. He demanded the suspension of the officers responsible for the incident and an independent investigation into the alleged attack.
The Rajya Sabha MP also sought the release of FIRs and investigation reports as well as security for opposition leaders, candidates, workers and journalists till the end of the elections.
Injured AICC Secretary
The incident took place around 4 pm on Monday (September 21, 2026) in the Samaguri assembly segment when the Congress convoy was traveling to a public meeting in Larirmukh. Among those traveling in the convoy were Mr. Baghel, Mr. Gogoi, Lok Sabha member from Dhubri Rakibul Hussain and the party’s Nagaon bypoll candidate Sibamoni Bora.
Mr Hussain said the convoy was first confronted with black flags and then targeted with stones. In a more serious allegation, he claimed that “masked attackers” also used iron rods, hockey sticks and cricket bats and that “acid was also thrown at the convoy”. He said that AICC secretary Manoj Chauhan suffered injuries to his ribs and was admitted to hospital.
“This is not an isolated incident but such incidents have happened across the country due to collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission,” Mr. Hussain said.
“Intimidation affects voter turnout”
According to him, Congress officials had alerted the police in advance after a similar incident was reported in Dhing-Dhupguri area a day earlier.
Mr Hussain warned that such attacks and intimidation could affect voter turnout. “Whenever such incidents occur, people do not go to the polls out of fear, leading to a drop in voter turnout that directly benefits the ruling party,” he said.
Voting for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll is scheduled on October 6 and counting will take place on October 9.
Assam CM accuses Congress of factionalism
According to police, BJP supporters gathered at Barama Bazar to show black flags to Congress leaders. Slogans of “Gaurav Gogoi come back”, “Congress come back” and “Rakibul come back” were raised as Congress workers rode through the area on motorcycles, creating tension.
When the Congress convoy returned after the meeting, police said suspected BJP supporters pelted stones at the vehicles. Congress workers subsequently returned to the site with sticks, leading to further clashes in which stones were pelted from both sides. According to the police, some journalists also suffered minor injuries.
The Congress charge was rejected by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who attributed the incident to factionalism in the Congress and said the state leadership should take responsibility for its internal differences.
Published – 22 Sep 2026 21:58 IST