Assam Minister Piyush Hazarika on Monday said that the recent attack on Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi was linked to personal financial disputes and not connected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as alleged by Bordoloi.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Hazarika said, “Preliminary reports indicate that the unfortunate attack on MP Pradyut Bordoloi appears to have arisen from personal disputes over financial dealings, with no links whatsoever to the BJP as alleged by the MP. The area where the incident occurred is predominantly a Congress stronghold, and attempts to blame the BJP are not only baseless but deeply irresponsible.”

Hazarika further claimed that a Congress worker had recently accused Bordoloi of demanding money in exchange for a party ticket and suggested that the attack may be linked to this allegation. He added that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has already ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

“We appeal to everyone to refrain from politicising such incidents and hope that such unfortunate events are never repeated,” Hazarika said.

Meanwhile, the Congress party accused the BJP-led government of using the police to threaten Congress candidates into withdrawing their nominations for the upcoming Panchayat elections scheduled for May.

Congress workers, led by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Kumar Borah and MP Pradyut Bordoloi, staged a protest in front of the Assam Director General of Police (DGP) office over the matter. Police set up barricades to stop the protesters from proceeding.

Speaking to ANI, Bordoloi alleged that Congress candidates had been “kidnapped, threatened, or forced” to withdraw their nominations. He accused the police of acting under instructions from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and criticised the Election Commission, calling it a “puppet.”

“The police are being used to force Congress members to withdraw their nominations. This is unacceptable. Why are you afraid to face elections?” Bordoloi said.