‘Our Village Cannot Accept Congress Corruption’: Supporters Say as they Back Lovely Begam in Ward 25

A large rally was organised in support of independent candidate Lovely Begam in Ward 25 of Silchar Municipal Corporation on Sunday night (September 13), with a section of former Congress workers and supporters publicly declaring their support for her candidature.

The rally, which began after a gathering attended by several hundred supporters, passed through different parts of the ward, including Bagadhar and Barjurai. Supporters raised slogans in favour of Lovely Begam, while the candidate and her supporters also interacted with local residents during the campaign.

Addressing the media, a section of the supporters said they had traditionally supported the Congress and had been strong supporters of MLA Aminul Haque Laskar. However, they said they were now leaving the party over what they described as dissatisfaction with the Congress’s ticket distribution.

“Our village cannot accept the corruption of Congress,” they said, while announcing their support for Lovely Begam as the independent candidate from Ward 25.

The supporters alleged that social worker Ziaul Haque Laskar was expected to receive the Congress ticket but was denied the nomination. They alleged that the ticket was instead given to another candidate due to what they described as corruption within the party.

Much of the supporters’ address focused on Ziaul Haque Laskar, who is Lovely Begam’s husband. They repeatedly praised his social standing and said they had trust in him. Some supporters highlighted his religious practices, describing him as a Hajji and saying that he offers prayers five times a day.

They also claimed that if Ziaul Haque Laskar had received the Congress ticket, it would have brought greater recognition to the party. However, the candidate contesting the Ward 25 election as an independent is his wife, Lovely Begam.

The supporters said their decision to back Lovely Begam was based on their association with the family and their confidence in her candidature. They claimed that she would win the election with certainty.

Lovely Begam is the wife of social worker Ziaul Haque Laskar. Her supporters say his long-standing social activities have helped the family maintain contact with residents of the area.

The rally is being seen by the independent camp as a show of strength ahead of the Silchar Municipal Corporation election. The event also highlighted dissatisfaction among a section of former Congress supporters over the party’s ticket distribution in Ward 25.