BJP Candidate in Assam Rejects Allegations in Suicide Note as False

A purported suicide note from earlier this year has emerged online, allegedly linking BJP candidate Vijay Gupta to the death of a Kerala-born businessman just days before Assam’s scheduled April 9 Assembly elections.

The controversial document reportedly belongs to Sijo Jacob, a 47-year-old businessman who was found dead in a hotel room in Shillong’s Police Bazaar area in February. According to local media outlets, Jacob’s note explicitly named Gupta as the “reason for death.”

Gupta, who is contesting from the Guwahati Central constituency, has vehemently denied any connection to the incident, dismissing the allegations as fabricated. During a press conference on Wednesday, he characterized the emergence of the note as “lies” and “false propaganda” designed to damage his electoral prospects.

“Had there been any truth to these allegations, authorities would have registered a case against me,” Gupta told reporters. “We need peace and harmony. Such false propaganda will destroy Assam and its social fabric.”

The timing of the note’s circulation has raised questions about political motivations, coming just as the northeastern state enters the final phase of campaigning. Gupta suggested this was part of a pattern of misinformation targeting him, noting, “First, there were rumours that BJP had nominated a different candidate in the Central Guwahati seat, and then this. These are nothing but false propaganda.”

Electoral officials have not yet commented on the situation, leaving questions about whether the document’s authenticity will be investigated or if it might affect the upcoming vote. The Meghalaya police, who would have jurisdiction over Jacob’s death investigation in Shillong, have also not issued any public statement regarding the allegations in the note.

The Guwahati Central constituency is shaping up as a closely watched race, with Gupta facing 27-year-old Kunki Chowdhury of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP). Chowdhury, who represents a new generation of Assamese politicians, brings impressive educational credentials as an alumna of both the prestigious Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies and University College London.

The BJP has maintained electoral dominance in Assam since 2016 when it first came to power in the state, ending 15 years of Congress rule. The party strengthened its position in 2021 by securing a second consecutive term. However, regional parties like the AJP have been gaining ground by focusing on Assamese identity and local issues, particularly among younger voters.

This latest controversy comes amid increasing political tensions in Assam, where electoral politics often intersects with sensitive issues of ethnicity, immigration, and regional development. The state’s complex demographic makeup and its strategic location in Northeast India make it a crucial battleground for national parties.

Political analysts note that last-minute controversies are not uncommon in Indian elections, though their impact on voting patterns varies significantly. The emergence of potentially damaging allegations so close to polling day gives candidates limited time to mount effective responses or for voters to properly evaluate claims.

As election day approaches, both candidates are likely to intensify their campaigning efforts in Guwahati Central, a constituency that encompasses much of the state’s commercial hub and represents diverse voter demographics. Whether this controversy significantly influences the electoral outcome remains to be seen when residents cast their ballots on April 9.