Gogoi sniffs political conspiracy in EC raid

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Gogoi said, “It was evident that it was politically motivated and expresses the government of India’s attitude towards the opposition parties.”  He claimed that it was the ploy of the BJP-led central government to defame the Congress, which will be seeking a fourth straight term in the state.   

“The Congress strongly condemns such action and we protest it,” he added. A team of election expenditure observer had reportedly carried out a search operation in the residence and vehicles of Hussain here, prompting the minister to also file a police complaint, alleging irregularities in the matter.  

Hussain filed the FIR at Dispur police station against one Raghuveer Singh, who had led the reported raid at his residence. Talking to reporters after filing the complaint, Hussain alleged that Singh and his team had stopped his convoy just as he was leaving his residence and carried out an extensive search of his vehicle and his escort jeep. 

Singh reportedly identified himself as an election expenditure observer but could not produce any official document to Hussain’s satisfaction. The team also searched the residence of Hussain and that of his neighbours, but did not find anything incriminating in the raids.

Aiming to lead Congress to its fourth straight win in Assam, Chief Minister Gogoi announced that next month’s polls would be the last for him. Gogoi said, “This will be my last election. The people have supported me for so many years and I will appeal to them to support me once again.” Admitting that he has not been able to keep all his promises to the people, Gogoi said, “I may not have been perfect, but I have been attempting to do the most I can.” A former Union minister, Gogoi was sworn in as the chief minister for the first time in 2001.