Assam: BJP secures Dhekiajuli Zila Parishad seat as Congress candidate joins ranks

A CORRESPONDENT

DHEKIAJULI: In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the first phase of the Panchayat elections in Dhekiajuli, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has tightened its grip on the Dhekiajuli rural area by clinching a Zila Parishad seat unopposed, following a series of unexpected political crossovers from the Congress camp.

The political landscape shifted sharply after all the 11 BJP-supported candidates for the local Panchayat seats in Dhekiajuli were declared winners without contest. The momentum continued on April 14 when Rina Bivar, the Congress-nominated candidate for the Panbari Zila Parishad seat, stunned political observers by joining the BJP, just days after filing her nomination.

The switch was made official during a press conference held at the MLA Residential Centre, where Assam Cabinet Minister and Dhekiajuli MLA Ashok Singhal welcomed Rina Bivar into the BJP by ceremonially offering her the party scarf and cap. Her entry cleared the way for BJP’s Mishana Tirki Tanti to be declared elected unopposed from the Panbari Zila Parishad seat. The press conference meeting was attended by top BJP leaders which included John Saikia and Kaju Deep among others.

Speaking to the media, Minister Ashok Singhal stated, “Rina Bivar was deeply influenced by the governance and vision of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP’s pro-people policies. Her decision to join BJP is a reflection of the growing faith in our party’s leadership.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Singhal hinted at an imminent political exodus from the Congress, revealing that multiple senior Congress leaders and candidates are in close contact with him, expressing their intent to join the BJP. “Over the next couple of days, you will witness more Congress heavyweights stepping into our fold,” he asserted.

Earlier in the day, Megho Munda, President of Palashbasti Mandal Congress, also crossed over to the BJP, further signalling an internal collapse within the Congress ranks in the Dhekiajuli constituency area.

With the Dhekiajuli constituency rapidly becoming a saffron stronghold, the developments mark a significant setback for the Congress party and a decisive stride forward for the BJP ahead of the full-scale Panchayat elections.

Also Read: Assam: Rongali Bihu celebrated with pomp and gaiety in Demow

Also Watch: