17 candidates to contest from Dhubri in the forthcoming parliamentary elections

A Correspondent

DHUBRI: This time as many as 17 candidates are in the fray from 4-Dhubri Parliamentary Constituency spreading across 10 assembly constituencies of Dhubri, South Salmara-Mancachar and Goalpara district. But BJP is missing this time from the fray due to an alliance with AGP and this seat gone to the AGP in their seat adjustment. BJP had to leave this seat because they lost hope in this seat owing to a predominantly Muslim population.

The party, barring once in 1999 when the party candidate, Bimal Oswal gave a formidable fight to Congress candidate Abdul Hamid and lost by a narrow margin of 21,000 votes, never even finished second or was in the centre of contest.

The Congress, on the other hand, has been losing the seat to AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal since the last two terms – 2009 and 2014 - by a huge margin of votes. Though the seat, prior to 2009, was a strong bastion of the Congress.

This time it seems the major contenders for the seat are Badruddin Ajmal (AIUDF), Abu Taher Bepari (INC), Jabed Islam (AGP) and Nurul Islam Choudhury (TMC). Party sources in AIUDF alleged that they were betrayed by the Congress as AIUDF did not field any candidate in the 11 MP seats across Assam as the chief was assured by the Congress that it would field weak candidates in three seats, including Dhubri.

“But by fielding Abu Taher Bepari, a two-time legislator from Golokganj assembly constituency, the Congress has sent a clear message that it is not in mood of coveted alliance,” sources said.

AGP candidate Javed Islam, son of veteran Congress leader of Dhubri district and former minister Zehirul Islam, after being denied ticket by the Congress, contested as independent candidate in 2006 and won from Mancachar assembly constituency. He was expelled from the Congress primary membership but later joined party as associate member and remained in the Congress. Islam, a few months ago, joined the AGP.

AGP candidate Jabed Islam is eyeing the BJP and AGP vote share plus his grip over the voters in Mancachar and other segments of the MP constituency.

Similarly, TMC candidate Nurul Islam Choudhury, comparatively a new entrant in active politics, was with AIUDF for many years. He is also eying the Bengali Hindu votes plus his personal grip among cross-section of people. Being a senior advocate of Dhubri Bar and former president of All Assam Lawyers’ Association, Islam is a known face to the people. In the latest development, two independent candidates withdrew their candidature on Monday.

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