Selection of 'undesired' candidates in Tinsukia likely to affect BJP

From our Correspondent

TINSUKIA, March 9: Dissident and defectors will play a significant role in the forthcoming elections, particularly at the backdrop of the BJP-AGP alliance, maintained political alysts while observing that the resentment among the grassroots workers will not only cost the prospects of winning, but will erode the voter base too. The chance of cross-voting must not be ruled out, which is likely to  benefit the Congress party, at least in Tinsukia district, even as BJP has made remarkable  inroads in certain pockets in the district as reflected during the last Lok Sabha and panchayat polls.

Though Congress is unlikely to face any rebellion over the selection of fil party candidate as cadres are loyal to the party high command, in 5 LACs in the district even if contenders are many, BJP on the other hand is fixed over the selection of party candidates in four constituencies- Sadiya, Marghetita, Digboi and Tinsukia, paving way to adjust and accommodate two former legislators Bolin Chetia and Jagadish Bhuyan who defected from Congress and AGP respectively for political gain, out of their own place, Sanjoy Kishan, Pulak Gohain and Bhaben Sharma from BJP itself, even as party insiders say, they have to depend on organizatiol bases nurtured by the grassroots workers over the years. Dislodging and depriving genuine BJP aspirants will be catastrophic for the party. Some senior BJP workers maintained that it took almost two decades for BJP to establish footing in the district overriding erstwhile Congress bastion. They will not revolt over undesired candidates, but will silently distance themselves from the party activities, they regretted, stating further that Sabanda Sonowal would be right candidate for Tinsukia who can influence voters in other four constituencies of the district.

In the back drop these developments, the political scerio in Tinsukia district will witness a sea of change in electoral pattern unlike previous polls.