Assam Governor Faces Criticism for Participation in Election Campaigns

GUWAHATI: The Governor of Assam Gulab Chand Kataria, has faced sharp criticism from the Assam state units of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for campaigning for a BJP candidate running in the Rajasthan assembly elections.

The two political parties released independent statements regarding the matter and have asked the President of India and the Election Commission of India to step in and take action against the Governor, who gave up all political positions before accepting the constitutional position. Gulab Chand Kataria, the governor of Assam, participated in BJP campaigning in Udaipur, Rajasthan. In a post on X, Assam TMC President Ripun Bora stated, "This is a challenge to democracy; the Election Commission of India should take action against him." He added that it is "extremely shameful" that the action taken by the governor as the spokesperson of a political party despite serving as a guardian of the Constitution of India.

Sharing a statement from the Assam TMC, he went on to say that the Governor’s support of Tarachan Jain, the BJP candidate, in Udaipur was illegal because he holds a constitutional post and called it a grave transgression of constitutional rights. The Assam TMC stated in the statement that the governor, in his or her capacity as head of state, "should not support any political party."

It continued, citing these two instances as evidence accusing the BJP of abusing its position to lead an undemocratic and autocratic government. According to AAP Assam coordinator Bhaben Choudhury, a governor ought to respect the Constitution by putting politics aside and upholding it regardless of caste, creed, or religion. Nonetheless, by running for office and supporting a political party, the Assam Governor has engaged in actions that are against the constitution and has denigrated the governor's position. Indian politics have been tarnished by it.

Bhaben Choudhury also stated that the party would write to the ECI to request action against this incident.

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