The Election Commission (EC) has taken a strong exception to BJP’s candidate from Gauripur constituency – Banendra Kumar Mushahary, for his “beef is national dish” remark.

The EC has filed an FIR against BJP candidate Banendra Kumar Mushahary at the Gauripur Police Station in Dhubri district.

Banendra Kumar Mushahary, BJP candidate from Gauripur constituency had claimed at an election meeting in a Muslim-dominated area that “beef is National Dish” of India.

“How can anyone try to ban beef? It is the National Dish of India,” Mushahary, who joined the BJP on December 29, last year, said, while trying to woo the support of the minority voters.

Mushahary said beef is an international dish, adding, “Educated Muslims in the rural areas of Assam should understand that no one can ban the sale of beef in Assam or anywhere in India.”

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Banendra Kumar Mushahary is known for jumping ships on a frequent basis.

Mushahary was first elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly in 1996 as an independent candidate from Gauripur constituency in Dhubri district.

Mushahary was elected again as an Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) candidate in 2001 from Gauripur.

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Subsequently, he joined the Bodo Peoples Front (BPF) and was elected as an MLA for the third time in 2011.

Senior BJP workers in Dhubri district had raised serious questions about Mushahary’s statement.