Former chief minister and leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, who on Thursday filed his nomination from two Assembly segments, has taken exception to the Chief Election Commission of India for ignoring his party’s complaints against the ruling Congress and its ministers.
Mr Mahanta told reporters that a Nagaon-based TV channel and cable network was airing news bulletins supporting the Congress leaders of the district.
The cable news channel, which has been given technical support to air their news by state owned PSU Amtron, did not have any proper permission or license from the broadcasting ministry to telecast news.
My Mahanta said that if such news agencies are not taken to task, it may resort to serious crimes like spreading rumors and character assassinationa of opponents on the eve of elections.
“I have asked the commission to take the action against such illegal cable news networks before any damage is done,” said Mr Mahanta, while saying that if the Election Commission continues to ignore the issue, his party may be compelled to take the matter to the court of law.
He said that “Congress leaders were taking advantage of being in power for last two consecutive terms and are trying to misuse the administration in the run up to the assembly elections.”
Mr Mahanta added that, “We are hopeful that the Commission will look into the complaints of Opposition political parties and take timely steps to ensure a level playing field for all in the ensuing Assembly elections.”