102 Congress Leaders Quit Party in Sonai Over Ticket to Aminul, Warns of “Hitler Raj”

Assam goes for the poll in just 10 days, and ahead of the single-phase democratic exercise, major shifts in party allegiance are being observed. After AGP and TMC leaders quit their parties to join the Congress in support of Sonai’s Aminul Haque Laskar, more than 100 Congress leaders from Sonai left the party today (March 30), opposing his candidature. The group was led by district vice president Samsur Rahman Choudhury (John), who resigned in protest against Aminul Haque Laskar’s nomination.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, the leaders alleged that Laskar, a former BJP MLA from 2016 to 2021, had earlier run Sonai in an authoritarian manner, and his induction into Congress, followed by a ticket, had demoralised grassroots workers.

Samsur Rahman Choudhury said, “We have been working at the forefront for the Congress party — protests, meetings, picketing and demonstrations, we have done it all. I have been with Congress for the past 33 years. In 2016 and again in 2021, I had applied for a ticket, but kept working in the party’s interest even after I was denied twice. This time in 2026, I was among the main contenders for Soani along with 12 others. Out of them, 11 were original Congress members. Even if I didn’t get the ticket, I expected it to go to a deserving Congress worker.”

He further questioned the party’s decision, saying, “When the first list was declared, we saw Aminul Haque Laskar’s name. On what basis was he selected? We have many questions. Different sources indicate that the leadership is compromised — I don’t want to elaborate, it is quite clear.”

Choudhury also alleged neglect by the party leadership after their resignation. “It has been one month since the list was announced, but no one has asked us anything. I resigned yesterday (March 29) along with 10 others, but nobody came to ask why,” he said.

Launching a sharp attack on Laskar, he added, “From 2016 to 2021, there was ‘Hitler Raj’ in Sonai. We have decided not to let that return. He may have changed parties, but like a snake shedding its skin, he hasn’t changed his nature. We cannot accept such a person.”

He further claimed that Laskar’s past actions were contradictory, stating, “The same person who organised RSS camps and distanced himself from Muslims now wants to win on Muslim votes. We cannot accept that.”

Announcing their future course of action, Choudhury said, “We have quit Congress, but we have not joined any other party yet. Our goal is to build a peaceful and prosperous Sonai, and we will support the most capable candidate to defeat him.”

He concluded by claiming, “102 office bearers from Sonai have resigned. We remain neutral for now, but we will support anyone who works for the betterment of Sonai — not someone who rules like Hitler.”

Other leaders present at the press conference included district general secretary Jabir Choudhury, Kabir Mannan Choudhury, Akbar Hossain Mazumdar, Mujib Choudhury, Zainul Haque Barbhuiya, Tamij Uddin and Badrul Hossain Majarbhuiya.