The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced its first list of 88 candidates for the Assam Assembly elections, fielding two former prominent Congress leaders, Pradyut Bordoloi and Bhupen Kumar Borah.
BJP has fielded Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi from Dispur. Breaking his lifelong association with the Congress, he joined the BJP on Wednesday in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Former Congress state president Bhupen Kumar Borah, who had switched parties a few weeks ago, will contest from Bihpuria seat. This is the same seat which he lost to BJP candidates in the last two elections. However, with the support of BJP, two-time MLA Borah is looking for a third victory.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is all set to contest the elections from his traditional Jalukbari seat.
BJP ministers Piyush Hazarika will contest from Jagiroad, Rupali Langthasa from Haflong and Prashant Phukan from Dibrugarh.
Sitting MP Hitendra Nath Goswami will contest against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi from Jorhat seat.
Meanwhile, Pratik Bordoloi has withdrawn his candidature from Margherita assembly constituency as his father and former party MP Pradyut Bordoloi has joined the BJP.
In a letter to All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge, Prateek said that his continuing candidature after his father resigned from the party would create confusion among the people and the party about his commitment.
The letter read, “With utmost respect and a sense of deep responsibility towards the party, I wish to inform my decision to withdraw my candidature from Margherita Assembly Constituency. Following my father’s decision to join another political party, under the present circumstances, I feel that it would not be appropriate for me to continue as a candidate.”
It read, “I believe that the people of Margherita and the countless dedicated Congress workers should have complete clarity and confidence in the party’s nominee. If any confusion or misconception arises regarding my commitment or the party’s stand, it would be an injustice to them.”
These developments have come to light amid preparations for the assembly elections in Assam. The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced that voting for all 126 assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while counting of votes will take place on May 4.