Shocking Surge: 5000 Facebook Accounts from Islamic Nations Allegedly Promote Assam Congress, Says CM Sarma

In a startling revelation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has alleged that around 5000 Facebook accounts originating from Islamic countries are actively promoting the Assam Congress party ahead of political developments in the state. The claims, if proven true, could signify a troubling case of foreign digital influence on regional Indian politics.

This revelation has triggered widespread debate in political circles and among cyber experts, igniting concerns about potential manipulation of public opinion through coordinated online campaigns.

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Probe Launched Into Foreign-Based Facebook Accounts

According to CM Sarma, these accounts are under official scrutiny, as the Assam government has initiated a comprehensive probe to uncover the intent and scale of these operations. The Chief Minister claimed that these accounts primarily originate from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Turkey.

The targeted promotion of Assam Congress content through foreign-based profiles has raised alarm bells over the potential weaponization of social media by external entities to sway regional election outcomes and political narratives.

Sarma emphasized that while political campaigning is natural, digital promotion driven by entities outside India, especially those connected to sensitive geopolitical zones, could pose a serious threat to India’s internal democratic processes.

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The Assam Congress Denies Allegations, Calls It Diversion

Reacting strongly to these accusations, the Assam Congress leadership dismissed CM Sarma’s remarks as baseless and politically motivated. A spokesperson for the party stated that the BJP government is merely trying to divert attention from pressing governance failures by concocting conspiracy theories.

The party insists that its online engagement strategy is handled by legitimate party workers and volunteers from Assam and other parts of India, and not from foreign actors. They have demanded that the government provide concrete evidence if any wrongdoing is found.

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Social Media Manipulation: A Growing Threat in Indian Politics

This incident, involving the Assam Congress, underlines a growing concern among democracies worldwide: the infiltration of electoral discourse by foreign entities via social media. With over 500 million internet users in India, political messaging through platforms like Facebook has become both powerful and dangerous.

Experts warn that misinformation and foreign influence, especially during election seasons, can distort democratic engagement and influence the youth, who are increasingly turning to digital platforms for news and opinions.

The Election Commission of India has previously raised concerns about cyber manipulation, and this development is likely to increase scrutiny ahead of any upcoming elections in Assam or elsewhere.

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Assam Government’s Crackdown on Cyber Propaganda

The state cybercrime wing is now actively tracking and investigating the identified accounts. CM Sarma mentioned that central agencies may also be involved if the probe uncovers international coordination or malicious intent.

Authorities are particularly cautious because the northeastern state shares international borders with Bangladesh and Bhutan, and has previously seen communal and ethnic tensions. The promotion of any political party by international actors — even indirectly — could further complicate Assam’s sensitive social balance.

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Strategic Implications for the Assam Congress

While the Assam Congress has strongly refuted the allegations, the political damage could be significant. The narrative of being supported by foreign Islamic nations may be used by opponents to question the party’s nationalistic stance and loyalty to democratic integrity.

Public sentiment in Assam, which is often sensitive to matters of national security and immigration, may shift if these digital campaigns are proven to be part of a broader disinformation strategy.

If anything, this development serves as a reminder that the digital political battlefield is as critical as physical campaigning — and equally vulnerable to manipulation.

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Experts Urge Need for Transparent Social Media Regulation

Cybersecurity and policy experts have called for a collaborative framework between the government, social media companies, and civil society to monitor and act against cross-border digital propaganda.

They stress that political parties must be transparent about their digital campaign funding and social media outreach operations. At the same time, platforms like Facebook need to implement stricter checks on account authenticity, especially in politically sensitive regions like Assam.

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Conclusion: Assam Congress in the Eye of a Digital Storm

Whether these accounts are rogue campaigns, bot operations, or coordinated propaganda from abroad, the Assam government’s probe will be crucial in determining the truth. Regardless of political affiliations, this issue strikes at the heart of democratic integrity.

The people of Assam deserve an electoral environment that is free from foreign manipulation and digital deceit. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact the public perception of the Assam Congress and the broader political narrative in the region.