What’s Behind the Voter List Row in Assam—and Why? Congress Asks

Accusing the BJP-led government of undermining democratic processes in Assam, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack over the ongoing Special Revision (SR) of electoral rolls, alleging large-scale voter manipulation.

Gogoi claimed that the state government was doing grave injustice to the people of Assam and that “vote theft is being carried out in the name of SR by the Assam BJP.”

Addressing a press conference, Gogoi alleged that names of indigenous voters were being deliberately deleted from the electoral rolls because they did not vote for the BJP, while names of people from outside Assam were being illegally included. He further claimed that voters from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar had found their way into Assam’s voter lists, raising serious concerns over the integrity of the electoral process.

Questioning the role of constitutional authorities, Gogoi asked what stand the Election Commission of India would take in the matter. He alleged that the Election Commission repeatedly questions only the Congress, while remaining silent on complaints against the ruling BJP.

The APCC president asserted that those intending to vote against the BJP were being selectively targeted, with their names removed from the electoral rolls ahead of the Assembly elections. He warned that such practices posed a direct threat to democracy and said that the people of Assam must remain alert and vigilant.

Calling the situation alarming, Gogoi said that Assamese society was facing a serious crisis, with electoral rights of indigenous communities under threat. He stressed that manipulation of voter lists not only weakens democracy but also endangers the political and cultural future of the state.

Congress Steps Up Statewide Outreach

Gogoi’s remarks came amid the Congress’s intensified political outreach under the “Raijor Podulit Raijor Congress Abhiyan”, a statewide mass consultation drive aimed at shaping the party’s strategy for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections and preparing what it describes as a people’s manifesto.

As part of the campaign, public opinion has been collected from several parts of Lower Assam, including Nalbari and Rangia. In Rangia, a delegation led by Congress Manifesto Committee Chairman Pradyut Bordoloi, organised on the initiative of Kamrup (Rural) District Congress President Pranjit Choudhury, interacted with local party units, social organisations, prominent personalities and senior journalists. Former MP Abdul Khaleque was also part of the delegation.

Earlier, on January 6, representatives of the campaign under the leadership of former APCC president Ripun Bora gathered public feedback in Hojai district.

The campaign will conclude in Guwahati on January 10 and 11, where large-scale interactions will be held with political and social organisations, citizens’ groups, students, youth bodies, intellectuals and senior journalists under the initiative of the Kamrup Metropolitan District Congress. These discussions will involve APCC President Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia, and Manifesto Committee Chairman Pradyut Bordoloi.

Eminent journalists, writers and intellectuals, along with major Assam-based organisations including the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), have already been invited to participate. Bordoloi has personally reached out to nearly 100 eminent individuals in Guwahati for suggestions to be incorporated into the manifesto.

The Manifesto Committee Chairman has also proposed visiting the residences or workplaces of those unable to attend the meetings and has requested written submissions. Stating that the manifesto would reflect the voice of the people, Bordoloi said it would be presented to the public shortly after incorporating feedback from all sections of Assam’s population.

Also Read: Akhil Gogoi Dares Assam BJP Chief Dilip Saikia to Swear Oath at Kamakhya Temple Over Voter Manipulation Row