Guwahati: Serious allegations of horse trading have emerged in the Alomganj Gaon Panchayat of Dhubri district, Assam. Newly elected ward members are allegedly being bought for sums ranging from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh each. The accused, Salami Sangma (also known as Salami Bibi) and her husband Abu Sattar Ali, are facing intense scrutiny over these claims.
According to reports, the ward members are being sequestered by a candidate seeking to secure votes for the presidential position within the panchayat. This alleged act of buying ward members is seen as a method to manipulate the panchayat leadership election, undermining the democratic process.
The allegations have sparked significant public outrage, prompting calls for intervention from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development Ranjit Kumar Dass. Citizens are urging the government to initiate a thorough investigation into these allegations to ensure transparency and accountability.
Salami Sangma, the former panchayat president, and her husband are facing these allegations amid previous accusations of irregularities, particularly in road development projects during their past terms. These financial dealings have raised fears of future corruption in development initiatives under the panchayat’s administration.
The timing of these allegations coincides with recent amendments to the Panchayat Act, aimed at promoting good governance and empowering independent candidates. Despite these reforms, the current situation in Alomganj Gaon Panchayat undermines the spirit of the amendments, provoking public ire and demands for action.
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