Guwahati Constituency Set for Intense Electoral Showdown
Electoral Dynamics in New Guwahati
Guwahati, March 26: The New Guwahati Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC) is gearing up for a significant electoral contest between candidates from the BJP and the Congress, contrasting sharply with the situation in the nearby Dispur constituency where two defectors are competing.
With a total of 191,447 registered voters, key civic issues such as the scarcity of drinking water, artificial flooding, traffic jams, and the state of public infrastructure are expected to play a crucial role in influencing voter choices.
Following their nomination submissions on Monday, BJP's Diplu Ranjan Sarmah and Congress's Santanu Bora characterized the upcoming election as a clash of ideologies, highlighting its importance in the evolving political landscape of the city.
Santanu Bora, aged 44 and a general secretary of the APCC, plans to address ongoing challenges like water shortages, artificial floods, inadequate public toilets, drug-related issues, and insufficient public infrastructure.
“Merely providing a few buses does not transform Guwahati into a smart city. Despite the presence of flyovers, traffic congestion remains a persistent issue,” Bora remarked, emphasizing his long-standing commitment to understanding the constituency's needs as the son of former Rajya Sabha MP and Education Minister Pankaj Bora.
Confident in his campaign, Bora anticipates support from both younger and older voters under the leadership of APCC president Gaurav Gogoi.
On the other side, BJP's Diplu Ranjan Sarmah, 50, currently serving as an MLA, previously won a by-election in 2024 from Samaguri, a seat traditionally held by Congress.
As the general secretary of the Assam Pradesh BJP and a former state general secretary of BJYM, Sarmah, with roots in the RSS, is focused on promoting the BJP's development agenda.
“The development initiatives led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have naturally drawn people towards us. The contributions of MLA Siddhartha Bhattacharya have further solidified our standing,” he stated.
During his campaign, Sarmah plans to engage with voters directly, aiming for a decisive victory.
Adding an intriguing twist to the election, former Congress spokesperson and ex-Mayor of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, Kushal Sarmah, is running as an independent candidate after being denied a party ticket.
Despite calls from various quarters to withdraw, Kushal Sarmah has committed to contesting against both the BJP and Congress candidates. While the race may not be a three-way contest, his candidacy could potentially siphon votes from Congress.
Overall, Santanu Bora is positioned as a candidate advocating for pressing urban issues and seeking to invigorate the Congress party's appeal to those desiring change in civic governance.
In contrast, Diplu Ranjan Sarmah is viewed as an experienced leader closely aligned with the ruling party, which may reassure voters looking for expedited development efforts. However, he might encounter challenges from within his party, particularly from younger leaders.
Ultimately, voters are likely to evaluate not only party ideologies but also the candidates' abilities to effect real improvements in their urban lives.
In total, five candidates have submitted their nominations for this constituency. Alongside the BJP and Congress representatives, Chinmoyee Bhuyan Bordoloi from the Gana Suraksha Party and Aditya Gogoi from the Aam Aadmi Party are also in the race.
The New Guwahati constituency encompasses significant areas, including Uzan Bazar, Ambari (Rabindra Bhawan area), Lachit Nagar, Rajgarh, Bamunimaidam, Noonmati, Geetanagar, Hengrabari, and Sarumataria, featuring a total of 219 polling stations.
With a blend of experienced politicians, new contenders, and pressing local issues at the forefront, this electoral battle is set to attract considerable attention as Guwahati prepares for voting.