After the Opposition Congress, the CPM in Assam has also “sought the removal” of the newly appointed NRC state coordinator, Hitesh Dev Sarma, who is yet to take charge.

The Assam CPM state committee on Friday said the government has appointed an allegedly “biased” and “controversial” official as coordinator, which the party “condemns”. It “protested” against the move and demanded that the government “cancel” its decision.

Dev Sarma’s name was announced for the post on November 9, following the transfer of former NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela to Madhya Pradesh on deputation for three years.

Congress MP Abdul Khaleque on Wednesday wrote to chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, demanding the immediate removal of Dev Sarma, alleging that he was “biased and unreliable”.

CPM member Suprakash Talukdar told The Telegraph, “The NRC process, being a sensitive and careful exercise, needs a head with impeccable track record and unbiased approach. The state government should appoint a senior, efficient and unbiased officer as state coordinator of the NRC.”

“The complaints against Dev Sarma has already been published in several media. It has been found that Dev Sarma has posted controversial and communal comments on social media. It is sad that such posts have come from a government official. A government official also cannot comment against the historic Assam Accord. It is an example of violation of administration law and it is strange that state government has not taken any action yet. The appointment of a controversial official to lead the NRC will probably give rise to new complexity in completion of the updated process,” a CPM press release said.

The party also demanded an inquiry against the allegations on Dev Sarma.

BJP spokesperson Rupam Goswami said, “If one has valid documents, he or she will make it to the NRC list; it is not related to NRC coordinator or any individual. The CPM does not have any existence in the state. Now why are they opposing Dev Sarma?”