Political heavyweights throw their hat into ring

ALA Speaker Prab Gogoi, former CM Prafulla Kr Mahanta, Ministers Bismita Gogoi, Ajit Singh, MLAs Pramila Rani Brahma, Pradyut Bordoloi file nomitions

OUR BUREAU

KOKRAJHAR, March 18: Senior BPF legislator and ex-Minister Pramila Rani Brahma today filed her nomition papers before the District Returning Officer, Kokrajhar MP Sharma for 30-Kokrajhar East (ST) constituency. She was accompanied by BTC EMs-Doneswar Goyary, Rajib Brahma, party leaders and hundreds of supporters.

Talking to reporters, Brahma said this time more people were coming out in support of BPF candidates that proves easy win of party.

She said only the BPF had become champion of people’s faith in the region as it has worked relentlessly for the development of all communities living in BTAD area. She said there would not be tough contest as the UPP has small support group which cannot be a factor.

On the issues of the women, Brahma said the BPF has been giving priority on the issues of the women to address their problems.

She said the party was extending fincial support to all women SHGs in BTC region to make them sustain in the economy and the women cooperative societies and other groups are also being supported.  

Earlier, a huge public meeting was held at Bodofa Nwgwr, Kokrajhar for contesting BPF candidate Pramila Rani Brahma which was chaired by the president of the Kokrajhar district BPF Derhasat Basumatary. The BPF president Hagrama Mohilary, Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary, BTC EMs-Doneswar Goyary and Rajib Brahma were also present.

On the other hand, UPP candidate Pratibha Brahma in an interview with media persons at Serfanguri on Thursday said that she wanted to contest for the betterment of women that are socially not free from being neglected. She said in the past decades, the issues of the women was neither heard nor initiated to be addressed.

 She said, “My priority would be women and development, women and economic development, women and social change, women and peace and social integrity.”

Brahma said she had respect towards BPF legislator Pramila Rani Brahma but she was partially satisfied as she failed to address especially the women issues. The development of infrastructures is required for the economic uplieftment but at the same time the issues of the social change and development should be given priority, she said adding that the participation of women in socio-economic and political are should be given due chance.

MARGHERITA : Former state Power Minister and local MLA Pradyut Bordoloi today submitted his nomition paper at Margherita Sub Divisiol Officer (Civil) office. BJP candidate of the constituency, Bhaskar Sharma also filed his papers today. Despite ULFA’s warning to the people to refrain from attending Sarma’s poll campaigning, more than 10000 BJP supporters came out in support of Sharma. Other candidates who are contesting from 124 No Margherita LAC  are Puran Chetry from AGP (Ancholiktabadi Mancha), Umesh Bora (Independent) Bishwath Singha (Independent) and Nidan Purty (Independent).

SILCHAR: In Silchar, Bithika Dev, former MLA, filed her nomition paper. Retorting to Dilip Kumar Paul’s last day comment upon her age, she said, “Age is not at all an issue in politics. We know Lal Krish Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi who despite their age are still active”.

 Bithika Dev beaming with confidence said that she has high hopes from the people. “I am not contesting on my own. I have been requested by the High Command to do so”, she added.  Rumi th, Congress, contesting from Borkhola constituency, filed her paper. She laid stress on the issue of development. She assured that she will fight hard for transforming her constituency into a developed one. Another Congress contestant, Ajit Singh, minister, too submitted his paper. He said that he is utterly shocked at the treatment meted out to Kabindra Purkayastha by the Bharatiya Jata Party. Atahur Rahman Mazarbhuiya, also of Congress, looked confident after submitting his nomition paper. He seems sure of victory in the assembly election.

 Atahur Rahman Mazarbhuiya evaded answering directly about road development. He however asked, “Where is acche din?” hitting out at Modi’s now famous two word phrase.

Sanjay Thakur, an Independent contestant from Lakhipur constituency, submitted his paper today.

 Among other candidates to file nomition papers today included Hazi Kholiluddin Mazumdar (AIUDF Katigorah), Sujata Sinha (Independent Katigorah), Giriendra Mullick (INC Dholai), Misbahul Islam Laskar (Independent Borkhola), Anwar Hussain Laskar (AIJCP Soi), Karim Uddin Barbhuiyan (AIUDF Soi), Neelam Sanjeev Sharma (BGP), Troyobasi Das (Independent Katigorah), Subhodeep Dutta (Independent Silchar) and Maksud Alam (Independent Katigorah). All the candidates in one voice spoke of working for development and change and it will be now better to watch who comes out with flying colours.

 GAON: Two time Chief Minister and Barhampur MLA Prafulla  Kr Mahanta filed his nomition papers in gaon today.

Mahanta filed his papers before the returning officer for Barhampur constituency Junu Das at 1 pm. Mahanta was given company by BJP MP from gaon Rajen Gohain, ex minister Gunin Hazarika, BJP candidate from gaon Sadar assembly constituency Rupak Sarma and many other leaders.

Earlier his supporters numbered more than five thousand took out a procession from the district AGP office to the DC office gaon and Mahanta walked along with his supporters.

After filing the nomition Mahanta said, “The Change is irresistible. The people will welcome the AGP-BJP alliance and the alliance will present a good stable government,” Mahanta said.

ABHAYAPURI:  Today at SDO(Civil) Office North Salmara, two candidates filed their nomition papers. From 34- Abhayapuri North, Bhupen Ray of AGP submitted his nomition papers and Robin Banikya, AGP from 35-Abhayapuri South(SC) submitted his nomition papers. A huge crowd of especially supporters of Bhupen Ray gathered outside the SDO (Civil) office.

DIPHU: The candidates of BJP and Congress parties today filed their nomition papers for Diphu and Howraghat seats to the Returning Officers, Diphu.

HAD Minister, Kharsing Engti in association with his supporters today filed his nomition papers to the Returning Officer Rita Gogoi for the 18- Howraghat (ST) constituency.

On the other hand, BJP candidate Joyram Engleng also submitted his nomition papers in support of workers for the 18-Howraghat seat. Engleng filled his nomition papers to the Returning Officer for Howraghat LAC, Rita Gogoi.

Simultaneously, BJP’s candidate, Sum Ronghang and ex-KAAC CEM submitted his nomition papers today for 19-Diphu assembly constituency to the Returning Officer, Diphu LAC and Deputy Commissioner, Mukul Gogoi. Likewise, the sitting Congress MLA and Parliamentary Secretary, Bidyasing Engleng also submitted his nomition papers for Diphu seat to the Mukul Gogoi, Retuning Officer and Deputy Commissioner.

SIVASAGAR: Prominent among the candidates who filed their nomitions on the last day was Assam Assembly Speaker Prab Gogoi, who is contesting from 108 Sivasagar constituency as Indian tiol Congress (INC) candidate which he has represented since 2001.

A large number of Congress leaders, workers and supporters escorted Gogoi to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Sivasagar where he filed his nomition papers. 

“I am ever grateful for the love and affection the people of Sivasagar have been showing me. The foundation of Congress is stronger than other parties in Sivasagar constituency. I have been showered with blessings three times. I am confident that I will win the election for the fourth time,” said Gogoi after coming out filing his nomition.

Earlier, Gogoi’s supporters took out a massive procession from Boarding Field to DC’s office.

Gogoi’s party colleagues Sushanta Borgohain and Assam Pradesh Comgress Committee’s president Anjan Dutta’s daughter Angkita Dutta also filed their nomitions as INC candidates. Sushanta filed his nomition for 107 Thowra LAC which he represents now, while Angkita Dutta filed her papers for 103 Amguri constituency.

The Bharatiya Jata Party (BJP) candidate, former ULFA leader Kushal Duwari from 107 Thowra LAC also filed his nomition papers.

GOLAGHAT: State Cultural Affairs  Minister Bismita Gogoi from the 96 Khumtai LAC submitted her nomition papers it to the ADC and Assistant Returning Officer Noor Hussain  at Golaghat DC office. Today on her birthday she was looking confident and she told the reporters that she will be elected from the Khumtai constituency again.