Assam Assembly Elections: Key Candidates to Watch
Overview of the Upcoming Elections
Guwahati, Mar 15: The upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly elections are set to be a significant contest between Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his opponent Gaurav Gogoi. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is striving for a third consecutive term, while the Indian National Congress (INC) aims to dethrone the current government.
Himanta Biswa Sarma's Political Journey
Himanta Biswa Sarma has played a pivotal role in various Assembly elections since 2006. After transitioning from the Indian National Congress to the BJP in 2015, he was instrumental in the party's initial electoral triumph in the Northeast. The BJP secured victory again in 2021, with Sarma assuming the role of Chief Minister.
Sarma has been the representative for the Jalukbari constituency since 2001 and is vying for his sixth consecutive term in the upcoming elections. His first attempt at this seat was in 1996, where he lost to AGP leader Bhrigu Kumar Phukan by approximately 17,000 votes. However, he reclaimed the seat in 2001 with a margin of around 10,000 votes.
His winning margins have consistently grown, culminating in a remarkable victory margin of over 1.01 lakh votes in the 2021 elections.
Gaurav Gogoi's Challenge
Gaurav Gogoi, the Deputy Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, is making his debut in the state assembly elections, contesting from the Jorhat constituency as the party's chief ministerial candidate.
This constituency was previously held by veteran politician Hitendra Nath Goswami for five terms, with three consecutive wins since 1991 as an AGP candidate and two since 2016.
Gogoi's victory in the Jorhat Lok Sabha seat in 2024, despite the BJP's extensive campaigning, has uplifted Congress's spirits ahead of the Assembly elections. The party has further demonstrated its confidence in him by appointing him as the state president, despite Sarma's allegations regarding supposed 'Pakistan links' involving Gogoi and his spouse.
Other Notable Candidates
Debabrata Saikia: The Leader of the Opposition will contest from Nazira, a seat previously held by his family members, including his father, former Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia. Saikia has represented this constituency since 2011 and is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, having won the last election by a narrow margin of fewer than 500 votes.
Biswajit Daimary: The outgoing Assembly Speaker and BJP candidate represents the Panery constituency. A former Rajya Sabha member, Daimary joined the BJP in November 2020 and won the 2021 Assembly election.
Ripun Bora: A former Rajya Sabha member and Congress state president, Bora will contest from the Barchalla constituency, having previously represented Gohpur twice.
Ajanta Neog: Assam's first woman finance minister, Neog has been a long-serving legislator since 2001 and joined the BJP in 2020, later becoming Finance Minister in Sarma's cabinet.
Atul Bora: The Asom Gana Parishad president and current agriculture minister has shifted constituencies over the years and has been a significant ally in the BJP-led NDA government.
Keshab Mahanta: The AGP working president has represented Kaliabor since 2006 and currently holds multiple portfolios in the Sarma cabinet.
Akhil Gogoi: The Raijor Dal president, who won the Sivasagar seat as an independent candidate while imprisoned on sedition charges, is a notable figure in the elections.
Aminul Islam: A three-term MLA from the All India United Democratic Front, Islam will contest from Rupahihat after facing legal challenges last year.