The Bharatiya Janata Party on March 7 released a document regarding individuals with pending criminal cases, who have been selected as candidates by the party.
The saffron party also stated the reasons for such selection, also as to why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates.
This declaration was mandated as per direction from the Election Commission in pursuance of an order from the Supreme Court.
The BJP list included details of eight such candidates who will be contesting the Assam assembly elections in the first two phases. The names included:
Dipayan Chakraborty from Silchar
The document stated that a case under Clause 3 of the Assam Trade Articles (Licensing and Control) Order, 1982 r/w Section 6 of the Liquified Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 200 was pending against Dipayan Chakraborty, BJP candidate from Silchar.
Stating why Chakraborty was selected by the BJP, the document said: “He is a person who has been engaged in social service for the people of the constituency for the past many years. He was found to have a good understanding of the ground situation and shared a good rapport with the voters.”
The party also stated the reason why it could not select any other individual without any criminal record. “BJP firmly believes in fielding candidate who can best represent the aspirations of the people of the constituency. There was no other person who could better represent the voices of the people of the area and thus the present candidate was chosen.”
Kushal Dowari from Thowra
The BJP document stated that there were two cases of “offences against the human body” filed against MLA Kushal Dowari. Citing the reason for selection of Kushal Dowri as its candidate from the Thowra constituency, the BJP stated that Kushal Dowari is a two-time MLA from the constituency and he has gained the trust and affection of the people. He has taken up various social work over the year.
The saffron party further added that it believes Kushal Dowari is best-suited for candidature from the constituency.
Jitu Goswami from Barhampur
The nature of offences against Jitu Goswami, BJP candidate from Barhampur, includes forgery, corruption and cheating. The party stated that Goswami is engaged in social service for the people of Nagaon district and has been found with good understanding of the constituency.
Ramakanta Deori from Morigaon
The BJP candidate for Morigaon assembly constituency has cases registered under IPC sections 34/147/148/325/435/447/506. While no charges have been framed against Ramakanta Deori, the BJP said that he is a sitting MLA and “has been a household name because of his exceptional work as an MLA. Additionally, he has involved himself in various social work in the constituency”. The party has hence selected Deori as its candidate in the constituency.
On why BJP could not select a candidate who has no criminal record against him, the party said: “Ramakanda Deori’s understanding of the constituency is unparalleled and the party believes that he is best suited to represent the interest of the people of his constituency efficiently.”
Jitu Kishan from Majbat
There were two cases registered against Jitu Kishan who will contest on a BJP ticket from Majbat assembly constituency. BJP said that “Kishan has been engaged in social service for the past many years. He was found to have a good understanding of the ground situation and shared a good rapport with the voters.”
Diganta Kalita from Kamalpur
The BJP document stated that there was a case registered against Diganta Kalita at Bhangagarh police station under various sections of the IPC including section 307, 326, 147 and 353. The case against the BJP candidate is pending in the Gauhati High Court and the court had stayed further proceedings in an order passed on November 15, 2019, according to the BJP document.
On the reason why Kalita was offered a ticket, the BJP stated that he has been engaged in social work and has good rapport with the voters.
Stating the reason why the BJP could not offer its ticket to a person without criminal record in Kamalpur constituency, the party said: “BJP considers this as the best possible candidate as he is trusted to fulfil the promises because of their consistent record of social work. The criminal allegations have been frames on malafide intentions and are driven by political vendetta of the opposition.
Madhu Ram Deka from Kalaigaon
Cases against Madhu Ram Deka, BJP candidate for Kalaigaon assembly constituency, includes under IPC section 302, 326, 447, 385, 392 and 341. One case each are filed at Hajo police station and Bhangagarh police station.
BJP said that Deka is a person engaged in social work and has a good understanding of the ground situation. It further said that “no other person could better represent the BJP and thus the present candidate was chosen”.
Manab Deka from Lakhimpur
The document stated that there were three cases against Manab Deka who will contest the elections from Lakhimpur constituency. It includes cases under IPC section 341, 498A, 307 and Arms Act. One of the cases have been disposed off in 2017 by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Kamrup Metro.
The BJP stated that Deka has been dedicated to social work for the past many years and has sound understanding of the ground situation. It added that no other person can better represent the party and thus the present candidate was chosen.
