Citizenship Dispute Returns to Haunt BJP Candidate Bijoy Malakar Before Assam Polls
Citizenship allegations against BJP MLA Bijoy Malakar resurface ahead of Assam elections.
A citizenship-related controversy has resurfaced in Assam ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for April 9, with allegations targeting a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the state’s Barak Valley region. The issue has been raised by Congress candidate Suruchi Roy following the filing of nominations for the Ramkrishnanagar constituency.
Roy has alleged that BJP leader and sitting MLA Bijoy Malakar has failed to provide adequate documentation to establish his Indian citizenship. She claimed that a case related to the matter is currently pending before the Gauhati High Court, adding that the issue raises serious concerns as the state heads into a crucial electoral contest.
Responding to the allegations, Malakar dismissed the claims as politically motivated, stating that the matter is sub judice and will be decided by the court. He also defended his family background, noting that his father and relatives have served as government employees, suggesting that the accusations lack merit and are being raised in the context of elections.
Also Read: BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar Files Nomination From Nemom With Strong Party Support
The controversy stems from a writ petition filed in December last year by two individuals, who alleged that Malakar is not an Indian citizen. According to the petition, his name reportedly appeared for the first time in the supplementary electoral roll of 2005 in the Karimganj North Assembly constituency. The petitioners further claimed that his parents had entered Assam after the March 25, 1971 cut-off date, which is a key benchmark in determining citizenship in the state.
Additionally, the petition asserts that the name of Malakar’s father does not appear in voters’ lists from 1966, 1971, or even 2005, raising further questions about the family’s documented presence in India. These claims have added a fresh dimension to the long-standing and sensitive issue of citizenship and migration in Assam, which has historically influenced the state’s political discourse.
With the elections approaching, the matter is expected to remain under scrutiny as legal proceedings continue. The outcome of the case could have political implications, particularly in a region where questions of identity, citizenship, and migration remain deeply significant to voters.
Also Read: Uttarakhand Flourishes Under BJP: Rajnath Singh Praises CM Dhami’s Leadership
