In response to the Congress party’s directive in Assam, requesting aspiring members to submit a fee of Rs 1 lakh with their applications for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the following year, numerous members gathered at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati on Wednesday.
They presented cheques in adherence to the party’s circular, which specified the application and fee acceptance period from December 11 to 19.
In preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Assam unit of the Congress released a circular announcing the initiation of applications for individuals desiring to contest the elections and seek for the party’s ticket in any of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The circular specified that aspiring candidates must submit their completed applications along with a fee of Rs 1 lakh within the period from December 11 to 19.
Promptly reacting to the action, the BJP, through Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika, critisized the Congress, labelling it as a “symbol of hypocrisy”. In response, the Assam Congress clarified that their financial support comes from contributions by supporters, emphasizing their separation from syndicates and illegal funds.
Despite the ongoing discussion, a considerable number of hopefuls, including ex-MLA Raju Sahu for Dibrugarh, Dr. Salman Chaudhary for Karimganj, Congress Vice-President Dwijen Sharma for Guwahati, and Abu Taher Ali Bepari for Dhubri, presented their applications along with a Rs 1 lakh cheque at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati.
According to Congress sources, the increase in application fees by 50% is expected to reduce the number of ticket seekers. Nevertheless, the number is projected to be over 80 for the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee clarified that if the party decides to refrain from contesting after a decision at the INDIA bloc meeting, the Rs 1 lakh collected from ticket seekers in a constituency will be refunded.
Information suggests that additional members are expected to submit their applications along with the required fees.
