Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Wednesday escalated allegations of large-scale voter list manipulation by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating that he will approach the Election Commission of India and, if required, the courts.
Speaking at a press conference with clear political implications for Dispur and Guwahati-based power centres, Gogoi claimed that plans were in place to delete voters’ names from electoral rolls in at least 60 Assembly constituencies across Assam.
Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi has alleged that the BJP planned deletions of voter names in 60 Assam Assembly constituencies and said he would approach the Election Commission of India and the courts. Addressing the media, Gogoi claimed senior BJP leaders were involved and that instructions were issued to carry out deletions by January 12.
Allegations Raised From Guwahati’s Political Hub
The allegations were made during a press briefing that has drawn strong attention within Guwahati’s political circles, where key administrative and electoral decisions for Assam are coordinated.
Gogoi alleged that voter deletions were targeted at constituencies that do not support the ruling party. He claimed that directions had been issued to complete the process by the 12th of the month, though no official communication has been made public so far.
Specific Accusations Against BJP Leaders
Naming Assam minister Ashok Singhal, Gogoi alleged that the minister was actively involved in efforts to alter voter lists across multiple constituencies. He described Singhal as an “outsider” and accused him of interfering in constituencies far beyond his own political base.
Gogoi also demanded that video conference footage involving BJP leader Dilip Saikia be immediately secured and made public. According to him, the footage is crucial to establishing whether discussions on voter deletions took place.
Claims of Evidence and Political Pressure
The Raijor Dal chief claimed he possesses photographic evidence related to the alleged video conference. He said the BJP would have denied the existence of such a meeting had the images not surfaced.
He further alleged that Dilip Saikia appeared unsettled during a press conference earlier in the day and claimed that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had reprimanded Saikia for making remarks in public. These claims have not been officially confirmed.
Kamakhya Temple Oath Challenge
In a statement that directly connects the issue to Guwahati’s religious and cultural heart, Gogoi challenged the Chief Minister and the Assam BJP president to take an oath at the Kamakhya Temple.
“We will take an oath at Kamakhya Temple tomorrow or the day after and bring out the truth,” Gogoi said, adding that he would resign from his MLA post and quit active politics if his allegations are proven false.
Constituency-Level Concerns
Raising a specific issue related to his home constituency, Gogoi questioned alleged voter deletions in Sivasagar. He claimed there are no ‘Miya’ voters in the constituency and suggested the deletions were politically motivated.
He alleged that the exercise was part of a broader plan affecting 60 constituencies across Assam, a charge that could have significant implications if substantiated.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
As the seat of Assam’s government and the centre of electoral administration, Guwahati plays a key role in overseeing voter roll revisions and election preparedness. Allegations of this scale place additional scrutiny on institutions based in the capital.
Any formal complaint to the Election Commission or legal action is likely to be processed through Guwahati, making the issue politically and administratively significant for the city.
What Happens Next
Gogoi said he would formally approach the Election Commission of India and move the courts if necessary. As of now, no official response has been issued by the BJP or the Election Commission regarding the allegations.
Further developments are expected in the coming days, especially if documentary evidence is submitted to the authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Akhil Gogoi has alleged that the BJP planned to delete voter names from the electoral rolls in 60 Assembly constituencies across Assam.
He said he will approach the Election Commission of India and, if required, move the courts to seek an investigation into the alleged voter list manipulation.
