The Assam Congress held a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati, demanding clear answers from the state government and the Election Commission of India about the citizenship status of BJP MLA Bijay Malakar from Ratabari constituency. The issue has triggered a fresh political controversy in the state.
At the briefing, senior Congress leaders said the matter concerns the integrity of Assam’s electoral system. They questioned how Malakar was allowed to contest elections and become an MLA twice if his citizenship was doubtful.
Congress MLA from Barkhetri, Diganta Barman, said that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was “running the government with the support of a Bangladeshi MLA.” He added that this was “a matter of shame for the Assamese community.” Barman further asked how the Election Commission included Malakar’s name in electoral rolls when reports suggest that his name appeared in voter lists at two different locations.
According to Barman, writ petitions filed by Brajgopal Sinha and Bijay Kumar Kanu have led Justice Kardik Eke to issue notices to both the State Government and the Election Commission seeking clarification. The Congress demanded that the government respond immediately before the court takes further steps.
Bedabrat Bora, a member of the Pradesh Congress Media and Communication Department, also questioned the BJP for giving Malakar a ticket to contest. Bora alleged that Malakar entered India after March 25, 1971, which would make his candidature invalid under existing citizenship laws. Bora linked the matter to concerns about the Citizenship Amendment Act and its impact on Assam. 
Congress spokesperson Konkan Das was also present at the press conference.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the party’s concerns are not limited to one MLA. He stated that another BJP leader, Nihar Rajna Das, is also under scrutiny. Gogoi said, “Our community and land are not safe in the BJP’s hands.”
Gogoi also spoke strongly against the recent chargesheet filed by the Special Investigation Team in the Zubeen Garg death case. He accused the government of trying to damage the late artist’s reputation. Gogoi said the SIT report looked like a “deliberate attempt at character assassination.” He said the Chief Minister wanted to publicly discredit Zubeen Garg and cautioned the state government against pressuring the artist’s family and supporters.
Gogoi added that Zubeen Garg held an emotional place in Assam and should be respected. He said, “Zubeen Garg is Assam’s Kanchenjunga. We will never allow his legacy to be tarnished.”
