Speculation rises over BJP nominee for Silchar Lok Sabha seat

Special Correspondent

SILCHAR: Speculation soared over the choice of candidate for the Silchar Lok Sabha seat, considered as significant for any party that can bag it. It is also politically strategic. After Congress has come out with the name of Sushmita Dev and AIUDF is still indecisive, BJP seems to be in a dilemma. The choice for the party is difficult as too many names are making the rounds, giving fodder to the media to make interesting stories. The block, the mandal and the district level bodies find it hard to make a consensus choice on the basis of the criteria laid down.

As one senior BJP leader candidly said when the list of aspiring candidates is long and also competitive, it is like a Hobson’s choice. Among those who figure in the list include Kabindra Purkayastha, Dr Rajdeep Roy, Dilip Kuma Paul, Prof Partha Sarathi Chanda, Subhrangshu, Shekhar Bhattacharjee, Santanu Naik, Vivek Podder and Hemanga Shekhar Das. The list of candidates for both the Lok Sabha seats of Silchar and Karimganj from the respective districts is to go to the State and from there to the BJP central body for the final nod.

Kabindra Purkayastha, the founding father of BJP in the North-east and the hero of several poll battles with wide and varied experiences to steer clear the party through many a rough weather can’t but be the ultimate choice but for his high age though he is still agile and dynamic. He leads the party from the front. Dr Rajdeep Roy, son of the most popular BJP leader Bimolangshu Roy, and presently the State spokesperson with great influences at Dispur and Delhi, is a strong contender. Dilip Kumar Paul, MLA, though a businessman, made his presence felt strongly in politics by wining the by-poll and general election by a record margin, indicating his popularity among the people.

Prof Partha Sarathi Chanda, basically an educationist, acclaimed orator, former principal of the premier centre of higher education, Gurucharan College, is a well known and admired personality in civic and political circles. Like a dedicated soldier, he has stood by the party from its emergence and contributed towards its enviable growth. Santanu Naik, a leading lawyer of Silchar Bar and a frontline leader of the party, is among the strong contenders for nomination.

Quite remarkable, as the general secretary of North East Linguistic and Ethnic Coordination Committee, he has fought for the cause of the NRC left-outs and helped them in all possible manner.

Shubhrangshu Shekhar Bhattacharjee, advocate in the Supreme Court, with great organizational ability, a blue eyed boy of the Sangha Parivar, has also staked his claim. Vivek Podder, a leading businessman, is pulling all strings as he has become a social face to be of reckoning for the Lok Sabha seat. Another name that emerges for consideration is Hemanga Shekhar Das, once an active ABVP worker, now heads the SC and OBC Morcha. Self-help groups are also backing him. The list may be long or short, but the final say is from the central body of the BJP. Till the name of the candidate comes out, suspense will prevail over the LS seat.

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