Congress questions ECI’s silence after attack on leaders’ convoy during Assam bypoll campaign

The Congress on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) questioned the Election Commission of India’s silence regarding 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 campaigning for the bypoll in the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat. The party sought an independent probe into the incident.The convoy faced stone-pelting in the Samaguri Assembly segment on Monday (September 21, 2026), which the Congress termed a “planned murderous attack” aimed at intimidating its leaders and workers ahead of the October 6 bypoll. The party said acid had been thrown at the convoy and that masked assailants used iron rods in the attack. It also alleged that the incident had taken place despite the administration being alerted about the possibility of trouble.Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh said the incident was not an isolated event 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.“Under the Modi government, the nation has witnessed a double standard regarding the security of Opposition leaders and workers during elections – spanning from Tripura and West Bengal to Assam,” Mr. Ramesh said in a post in Hindi on X.‘Polls now an arena of violence’The Congress also accused the Election Commission of India of maintaining “silence” over violence during elections. Mr. Ramesh said questions regarding the impartiality and transparency of the poll panel, including its handling of the electoral process, were already being raised across the country.“Elections are meant to be a celebration of democracy; yet, blinded by the arrogance of power, the BJP has turned them into an arena of violence,” he alleged.Addressing a press conference here, AICC general secretary Naseer Hussain said a report should be sought from the Nagaon district commissioner and the superintendent of police, and strict action taken against those responsible for the attack.“The Election Commission is maintaining silence on the deterioration of law and order, which we are all witnessing,” Mr. Hussain, a Rajya Sabha member, said. He demanded the suspension of officers responsible for the incident and an independent investigation into the alleged attack.The Rajya Sabha MP also sought the publication of FIRs and investigation reports, as well as security for Opposition leaders, candidates, workers, and journalists until the election is over.AICC secretary injuredThe incident took place around 4 p.m. on Monday (September 21, 2026) in the Samaguri Assembly segment when a Congress convoy was travelling to a public meeting at Larirmukh. Mr. Baghel, Mr Gogoi, Lok Sabha member from Dhubri Rakibul Hussain and the party’s Nagaon bypoll candidate Sibamoni Bora were among those travelling in the convoy.Mr. Hussain said the convoy had first been confronted with black flags and subsequently targeted with stones. In a more serious allegation, he claimed that “masked assailants” also used iron rods, hockey sticks, and cricket bats, and that “acid was also thrown at the convoy”. He said AICC secretary Manoj Chauhan sustained injuries to his ribs and was admitted to a hospital.“This is not an isolated incident, but such events have been happening across the country due to the collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission,” Mr. Hussain alleged.‘Intimidation will hit voter turnout’He said Congress leaders had alerted the police in advance after a similar incident was reported in the Dhing-Dhupguri area a day earlier.Mr. Hussain warned that such attacks and intimidation could affect voter turnout. “Whenever such incidents take place, people do not step out to vote out of fear, leading to a drop in turnout which directly benefits the ruling party,” he said.Voting for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll is scheduled for October 6 and counting will take place on October 9.Assam CM blames Congress factionalismAccording to the police, BJP supporters had gathered at Barama Bazar to show black flags to the Congress leaders. As Congress workers on motorcycles passed through the area, slogans of “Gaurav Gogoi go back”, “Congress go back” and “Rakibul go back” were raised, triggering tension.When the Congress convoy returned after the meeting, the police said, suspected BJP supporters pelted stones at the vehicles. Congress workers subsequently returned to the spot carrying sticks, leading to further clashes in which stones were hurled from both sides. Some journalists also sustained minor injuries, according to the police.The Congress’s allegations have been rejected by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who attributed the incident to factionalism within the Congress and said the State leadership should take responsibility for its internal differences.