BJP govt "using police to threaten our candidates" to withdraw their nominations: Assam Congress ahead of panchayat polls

Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 17 (ANI): Assam Congress on Thursday alleged that the ruling BJP government is "using police" to threaten their candidates to "withdraw" the nominations from the Panchayat polls scheduled to be held in May.
Congress workers led by Assam Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah and Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi staged a protest in front of the office of Assam Director General of Police (DGP) over the issue.
However, police put up a barricade to stop the Congress leaders led by APCC president Borah and Bordoloi.
Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Bordoloi claimed that all their candidates have either been "kidnapped, threatened or forced" to withdraw their nomination.
Bordoloi went on say "so-called Election Commission has become puppet."
"Apart from being a Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma is also a Home Minister and he has let off the police force as a direct BJP agent. The police force is spanning around everywhere. They are giving unwritten instructions that Congress candidates withdraw their nominations by hook and crook. This is unacceptable to us. They have been let around to force Congress members to withdraw their nomination. DGP has to take up these issues... The police is being used by the Chief Minister and the Home Minister... All our candidates have either been kidnapped, threatened or forced to withdraw their nomination... Why are you afraid to face elections?... The so-called Election Commission has become puppet..." the Congress MP told ANI.
Assam Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah reiterated the allegations levelled by Bordoloi, alleging that the Assam Police is "representing" BJP leaders.
Borah said, "Last night, all our candidates were threatened to withdraw their nomination... Who gives the salary to Assam police?... They should represent the Constitution, but they are representing BJP leaders..."
The panchayat polls in Assam will be held in two phases on May 2 and May 7. The counting of votes will be held on May 11. (ANI)