Dhubri: With elections around the corner and the festive season underway, candidates in the poll fray were seen serving devotees during ‘Austami Snan’ in the Brahmaputra in Dhubri on Tuesday.Lakhs of devotees from western Assam and North Bengal began arriving in Dhubri on Monday night and took shelter in dharmasalas, temples and clubs, where food and other amenities were arranged.
Candidates from various political parties, including BJP and Congress, were seen serving light refreshments, water and juice to devotees.BJP candidate Uttam Prasad from the Dhubri assembly constituency, as in previous years, was seen serving refreshments from a counter. Congress candidate Baby Begum from Dhubri and AGP candidate Jibesh Roy from Bilasipara also visited the ghats at Chapor and greeted devotees.Talking to TOI, BJP candidate Uttam Prasad said, “ I am not here just because poll is round the corner. I have been doing this for many years. Taking care of devotees coming from central Assam districts and North Bengal is our utmost duty.”Austami Snan brings joy and festivity to the region, along with a 15-day fair at the mela ground, which was inaugurated on Monday evening.Asked about arrangements for the 15-day Ashoka Austami Mela, Dhubri Mela Committee secretary Ganesh Sen said preparations, security and timings remained unchanged from previous years.
