Silchar (Assam), 05 March (HS): Dissidence has surfaced within the Indian National Congress in Cachar following the release of its first list of candidates for the upcoming elections. A section of senior party leaders has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the selection of candidates.

Serious allegations have been levelled against the party high command by senior Congress leader Jahirul Islam Barbhuiya, also known as Jewel, who was denied nomination from the Barkhola constituency. He alleged that Dr. Amit Kumar Kalwar, a recent entrant into the Congress, was awarded the party ticket after paying a hefty sum, while senior leaders who had served the party for years were overlooked.

After the party declared Dr. Amit Kumar Kalwar as its candidate from Barkhola, Jahirul Islam Barbhuiya resigned from the Congress and has decided to contest the election from Barkhola as an independent candidate, intensifying the internal crisis within the party unit in Cachar.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash