BJP list of 88 out, Sarbnanda Sonowal to contest Majuli seat

In what may be called an attempt to take the ruling Congress head on, the BJP on Thursday announced names of 88 candidates while fielding its MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasha against Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi from Titabor constituency.

The Assam BJP’s firebrand tea tribe leader Kamakhya Prasad Tasha had in 2014 Lok Sabha polls defeated former Union minister B.K Handique in Jorhat constituency. He is said to have a strong influence over the electorates of Titabor constituency which has been electing Mr Gogoi for the past three terms despite the domination of tea-tribe voters.

Assam BJP president and Union minister Sarbnanda Sonowal, the party’s chief ministerial candidate, has been given nomination from Majuli (reserved for ST) constituency in Jorhat district. The BJP’s list of candidates for Assam was finalised in the party’s parliamentary board meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday.

“We had a long discussion for the final list of candidates. The party has asked me to contest from Majuli constituency. I am happy to contest from the constituency,” said Mr Sonowal. Majuli is India’s largest river island, mostly inhabited by the tribal Mishing community.

The cultural hub of Assam, Majuli is the epicentre of Assam’s Vaishnavite movement. Seven out of nine Congress MLAs who had joined the BJP recently has also been given party tickets.

“We had many challenges in finalising the list of candidates but it includes candidates from all communities. There are 20 candidates whose age is below 40 years,” said BJP’s Assam election management committee convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The party has given nomination to at least four candidates from Muslim community besides ensuring nomination from all ethnic communities of the state in its final list of candidates.

In six constituencies, BJP would go for ‘friendly contest’ with its allies AGP and BPF. The party would announce candidates for Nalbari and Kalaigaon constituency in the next three days.

Out of 126 constituencies, BJP is contesting in 90 constituencies and have left 36 for its four allies — AGP (24), BPF (Bodoland People’s Front-12) whereas candidates of Rabha Jatiya Aikya Manch (1) and Tiwa Jatiya Aikya Manch (1) ethnic group would be contesting the election of BJP symbol.