Guwahati, 12 October (HS): Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Congress following the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) victory in the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, alleging that the Congress had betrayed the minority community and used it for political gains over the years. Pijush was talking to media persons after a program.

Hazarika claimed that the Congress had retained power for a long time by allegedly blackmailing the minority community but failed to resolve its problems. He said the community had abandoned the Congress long ago because the party had not taken adequate steps to address its concerns.

The minister also targeted All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal, claiming that voters in Nagaon had rejected his communal politics.

His remarks came after the BJP's Devashish Sharma won the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, while Ajmal finished second and the Congress candidate, Shivamoni Bora, secured the third position.

The election result has triggered fresh political exchanges in Assam, with BJP leaders targeting the Congress over its electoral performance and the opposition parties facing questions over their support base in the constituency.-------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash