Allegations of corruption have erupted within the Congress party in Assam, casting a shadow over its preparations for the upcoming Panchayat elections. As the party gears up to contest in Zila Parishad and regional Panchayat constituencies across the state, claims have emerged that tickets were allegedly sold to aspirants in exchange for large sums of money. These accusations have not only shocked party workers but also threatened to damage public trust in the Congress leadership at the grassroots level.
Multiple sources from within the party have alleged that influential leaders in some districts demanded cash payments from candidates seeking nominations. The controversy surfaced after several longtime workers were denied tickets without explanation. Many of them claim they have served the party loyally for years but were ignored in favour of newcomers who allegedly paid bribes for tickets. Some disappointed aspirants have gone public with their grievances, further intensifying the crisis.
The allegations have triggered protests in various parts of the state. In districts such as Barpeta, Morigaon, and Nagaon, Congress workers staged demonstrations outside local party offices. They accused district-level leaders of manipulating the ticket distribution process and betraying the party’s core values. The dissenters shouted slogans demanding a transparent selection mechanism and immediate removal of those involved in the alleged corruption.
Senior Congress leaders have responded with mixed reactions. While some have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, others have called for internal inquiries. State Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and promised to look into the claims. He has urged all disgruntled members to submit evidence and register formal complaints with the party’s disciplinary committee. According to Borah, the Congress high command will not tolerate malpractice and will take corrective action if necessary.
The issue has given rival parties fresh ammunition in their campaign. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) have wasted no time in slamming the Congress. They have accused the party of moral bankruptcy and claimed that its internal decay is now on full display. BJP leaders have also alleged that such incidents prove why the Congress cannot be trusted to deliver honest governance at any level.
The Election Commission has taken note of the developments and has said it will keep a close watch on all political parties during the upcoming elections. Though the commission does not intervene in internal party matters, it has reminded all candidates and political outfits to adhere to ethical practices and the Model Code of Conduct.
Meanwhile, the common people in the affected districts have expressed concern over the credibility of those contesting the elections. Many residents say that if tickets are sold for money, genuine candidates working at the grassroots are sidelined, and governance suffers in the long run. They argue that Panchayat elections should focus on local development and public welfare, not become a platform for money-driven politics.
As the polling day nears, the Congress leadership faces mounting pressure to resolve the internal crisis. The party’s image has taken a blow, and its ability to present a united front in rural Assam hangs in the balance. Party insiders believe that unless the allegations are addressed swiftly and transparently, the Congress could lose the trust of both its workers and its voter base.
The coming days will likely determine how the Congress navigates this scandal. If the leadership manages to restore order and clean up the ticket allocation process, it may still put up a strong fight in the elections. But if the dissent spreads and key members defect or work against the party from within, the fallout could significantly impact its chances in the Panchayat polls.
The controversy has also sparked debates among political analysts, who view this episode as a test of the Congress party’s organizational integrity at the grassroots level. Several observers have noted that the growing internal unrest reflects a deeper disconnect between state-level leadership and local workers. Many suggest that unless the Congress undertakes genuine reforms in its candidate selection process, it risks long-term damage to its support base in rural Assam.
Adding to the party’s troubles, some aspirants who were denied tickets have reportedly begun backing independent candidates or switching allegiance to rival parties. These defections, while not entirely unexpected, signal cracks in the party’s rural strategy. Analysts believe that even a small wave of such moves could hurt the Congress’s electoral prospects in key Panchayat segments.
The timing of the scandal couldn’t be worse for the Congress. With rural Assam poised to vote on issues like infrastructure, education, employment, and basic amenities, public disillusionment with political corruption could tilt the balance in closely contested regions. Opponents have already begun crafting their narratives around clean governance and local accountability, using the Congress controversy as a cautionary tale for voters.
Party veterans have privately acknowledged that the situation demands immediate damage control. Some senior figures have recommended setting up a neutral fact-finding committee to probe the cash-for-ticket allegations. They argue that a swift, transparent response could help the party salvage some of its credibility. However, whether the leadership will act decisively remains uncertain.
As campaigns intensify across Assam’s villages, the Congress finds itself at a crossroads. The party must now choose between defending status quo politics and embracing reform to rebuild trust. In a political climate increasingly defined by accountability and grassroots expectations, voters may not be so forgiving if the party chooses the former.