Guwahati : In a significant development during the ongoing Assam Assembly Elections, the Guwahati Police have issued a formal summon to Kunki Choudhury, the opposition unity candidate from the Central Guwahati constituency. Choudhury, a 27-year-old representing the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), is one of the youngest contenders in this electoral race. The police have directed her to appear at the Panbazar Police Station on Sunday at 11:00 AM for questioning regarding alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). While the legal pressure mounts, the candidate has vehemently denied all accusations, labeling them as politically motivated attempts to derail her campaign.
Legal Charges and the Threat of Arrest
The summon was issued by the Officer-in-Charge of Panbazar Police Station under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. According to the official notice, Choudhury’s presence is deemed essential for investigating facts related to Case No. 74/26. The case has been registered under Sections 223(a) and 174 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, alongside various provisions of the Representation of the People Act. Critically, the notice warns that a failure to appear before the investigating officer could lead to her immediate arrest, heightening the tension surrounding this high-profile constituency battle.
Origins of the Dispute and Political Friction
The legal proceedings stem from a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by BJP worker Nava Kumar Lahkar. The complaint names both Kunki Choudhury and her social media head, Sandeep Yadav, alleging that they violated election protocols shortly after the polling process concluded last Thursday at 5:00 PM. Following the complaint, three members of Choudhury’s digital team were detained on Thursday night and subsequently released on Friday evening. This legal friction carries heavy political weight, as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has frequently targeted Choudhury during his campaign trails, making this summons a focal point of the broader clash between the ruling party and the combined opposition.
Candidate’s Defiance and Democratic Stance
Responding to the summons, Kunki Choudhury released a video message clarifying her position and reassuring her supporters. She maintained that her campaign strictly adhered to all government guidelines and electoral laws throughout the polling period. Terming the allegations as "baseless and intentional," she asserted that she has fought the election within the framework of democratic principles. Despite the looming threat of legal action, sources close to the candidate indicate that she intends to cooperate with the authorities and will present her statement at the police station this Sunday as scheduled.
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