Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi faces a tough challenge in Assam Elections this year. (File Photo)
Highlights
- Tarun Gogoi held a press conference today, defying model code of conduct
- He earlier accused poll panel of being biased, harassing Congress leaders
- Voting for the final phase of polls took place in Assam today
A police complaint was filed against Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for holding a news conference in Guwahati on Monday, defying the model code of conduct in place for the on-going assembly elections in the state.
The FIR or First Information Report was registered on the orders of the Election Commission "as it may influence the voters", an official said. "The District Magistrate has confirmed that the FIR has been lodged," Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said.
Earlier, accusing the Election Commission officials of bias, the 81-year-old Congress leader said they were harassing Congress leaders across the state.
"They should arrest me if they can," Mr Gogoi said.
Mr Gogoi condemned an alleged raid by the poll panel officials on the homes of Congress leader and former minister Goutam Bora at Dhing on Sunday.
Election officials in Assam objected to the news conference, banning its broadcast.
Mr Gogoi said that while the poll panel did not take any action for purported violation of code of conduct by BJP leaders like Himanta Biswa Sarma, it raided the houses of other Congress leaders like Rockybul Hussain and Goutam Bora without any reason.
"I am a law abiding citizen. But should I not clarify my stand? They should arrest me if they can," he said.
Mr Gogoi faces a stiff battle against the BJP in Assam, which is hoping to wrest power in the state from the three-time chief minister.
Voting for the second and final phase of the elections was held today in Kokrajhar and other Bodo districts in lower Assam, where the BJP is hoping to win a large chunk of seats.