Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Congress says yatra attacked in Assam, BJP denies charge

In the afternoon, the Assam Congress shared another video of two vehicles – a mini-truck carrying Congress flags and a car – both with damaged windshields. This damage, party leaders alleged, was done by BJP leaders who had assaulted Congress workers putting up posters in Lakhimpur on Friday.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Assam Congress president Bhupen Borah said, “Last night in Lakhimpur, all the posters, hoardings and flags we had put up were removed. Some of our Youth Congress workers were beaten up and two vehicles were damaged. We have submitted two complaints to the police, one is for the removal of the posters and the other is for the assault.”

On Saturday evening, Lakhimpur SP Aparna N told The Indian Express that the police “have not received a formal complaint so far”. “If and when it is received, we will take action accordingly,” she said. Saturday was the third day of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at the BJP over the alleged attacks.

“We strongly condemn the shameful attack on the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra vehicles and tearing of Congress party’s banners and posters by the BJP goons in Lakhimpur, Assam. In the last 10 years, the BJP has attempted to trample and demolish every right and justice guaranteed by the Constitution to the people of India. It wants to subjugate their voices, thereby hijacking democracy. Congress party will not be cowed down by this tactic… Congress party will take appropriate legal action against these BJP stooges,” he stated on X. However, Assam DGP G P Singh responded to Kharge’s post stating that no vehicles were targeted. “Dear Sir, there has been no targeting of any vehicle of any political party, less so of the yatra. Assam Police has made elaborate arrangements for security and law and order for the yatra throughout the state,” he stated.

State BJP chief Bhabesh Kalita denied any involvement in the alleged incidents. “The BJP is not involved. Instead, the Congress itself is involved. It is trying to create an image but can’t. They have lost the faith of people after years of misrule,” he told The Indian Express. The Assam leg of the yatra has been a heated one. While Rahul has trained his guns at Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, referring to him as “the most corrupt CM”, Sarma in turn has been on an offensive against the yatra.