The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Tuesday suspended four office-bearers of the Hailakandi district unit for their alleged involvement in a protest that forced party observer and Sonai MLA Aminul Haque Laskar to leave a review meeting midway last week.
Suspension Order
In an order issued by the party, Jahan Uddin Barbhuiya, Sarim Sadiol, Mitujjaman Laskar, and Najmul Hussain Barbhuiya, all general secretaries of the Hailakandi unit, were suspended with immediate effect. The disciplinary action comes after a stormy meeting where a section of Congress workers openly confronted Laskar.
Background of the Incident
Aminul Haque Laskar and APCC general secretary Dhrubajyoti Purkayastha were deputed by state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi to review the reasons behind the party's electoral setback in Hailakandi. However, the meeting turned chaotic as protesters, many linked to the Youth Congress, accused Laskar of maintaining close ties with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Slogans such as "BJP's dalal" and "BJP agent" were raised against him.
As tensions escalated, angry workers allegedly gheraoed the MLA, forcing his security personnel to intervene. Laskar was eventually escorted out of the venue and rushed to his vehicle while protesters continued shouting slogans and chasing the SUV. The incident has exposed deepening factionalism within the state Congress unit, particularly in southern Assam.
Party Dynamics
Party insiders linked the developments to recent tensions within the APCC leadership after Algapur-Katlicherra MLA Jubair Enam reportedly questioned Gogoi's leadership during a meeting at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati. The suspension of the four district leaders is viewed as the first major disciplinary action by the APCC in the aftermath of the Hailakandi episode, signaling the party leadership's intent to crack down on indiscipline amid growing organizational challenges in the Barak Valley.
