The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released its first list of 88 candidates for the Assam Assembly elections, fielding Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from Jalukbari as he seeks a sixth consecutive term.
The list, finalised by the party’s Central Election Committee in New Delhi, sets the stage for the high-stakes April 9 polls in the 126-member Assembly.
Sarma will once again contest from Jalukbari, a seat he has held since 2001. In Jorhat, the BJP has fielded sitting MP Hitendra Nath Goswami against Gaurav Gogoi, president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee.
Recent entrants to the BJP, including former Congress leaders Pradyut Bordoloi and Bhupen Borah, have been nominated from Dispur and Bihpuria respectively, signalling the party’s effort to consolidate new political alignments ahead of the polls.
Several Cabinet ministers have been retained in their current constituencies. These include Ajanta Neog (Golaghat), Ranoj Pegu (Dhemaji-ST), Pijush Hazarika (Jagiroad-SC), Jayanta Malla Baruah (Nalbari) and Ashok Singhal (Dhekiajuli), among others.
Also read: NDA seals Assam seat pact; BJP to contest 89, AGP 26
However, there have been notable changes. Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary has been shifted from Panery to Tamulpur (ST), while senior ministers Chandramohan Patowary and Ranjeet Kumar Dass have been moved to Tihu and Bhowanipur-Sorbhog respectively.
In Haflong (ST), Sports Minister Nandita Garlosa has been replaced by Rupali Langthasa. Similarly, Deputy Speaker Numal Momin has been dropped from Bokajan (ST), with Surjya Rongphar fielded in his place.
Former Union minister Rameshwar Teli will contest from Duliajan, a seat vacated after incumbent MLA Terash Gowala was elected to the Rajya Sabha.
The candidate list was cleared at a meeting attended by top BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia and Sarma were also present.
Assam will go to the polls in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4, as announced by the Election Commission of India.
The BJP’s first list reflects a mix of continuity and calculated reshuffles, as the ruling party looks to retain power in the northeastern state.
Follow us
