Guwahati: Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that health department has written to state Election commission asking it to defer polls to sixth schedule council Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD)and withdraw model code of conduct. The term of the sixth schedule BTAD ended on April 27 last. Election to the council which was slated for April 4 last was deferred following the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Jagdish Mukhi took over administration of the sixth schedule council. However different political parties are holding rallies and there is huge turnout in the meeting however it is alleged that COVID protocols are violated. An FIR has been registered against the Minister of State for Urban Development and Health and Family Welfare, Assam Pijush Hazarika in Panbazar Police Station, Guwahati after he held an election rally in BTAD. Sarma said, “We have written to state Election commission to defer the election. Once elections are deferred there will no election meetings. We have also asked the commission to withdraw model code of conduct.” He said for electioneering and gathering of people may result in the spread of the COVID-19 in the state.
