Congress brings out first list

ASSEMBLY ELECTION 2016

Priority to youths, women; Anjan Dutta not in fray, daughter Angkita to contest from Amguri; three sitting MLAs denied party tickets, six to be replaced by kith & kin

OUR BUREAU

NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI, March 15: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee on Tuesday announced its first list of candidates for the first phase of assembly election. The party high command has given more preference to the youth and women this time. However, the list brought disappointment to three sitting MLAs losing out on party candidature, while six sitting MLAs have been replaced by their kith and kin.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will contest from Titabor constituency, former Union minister Pawan Singh Ghatowar has been fielded from Moran, while sitting MLA Rajib Lochan Pegu will take on BJP's chief ministerial candidate Sarbanda Sonowal from Majuli, a reserved seat for tribals.

The three sitting MLAs denied party candidature this time are Sarat Saikia (Mahmora), Amiya Gogoi (Duliajan) and Abdul Muhib Mazumdar (Hailakandi).

Similarly, the six others who are being replaced by their relatives are - Amguri MLA and APCC president Anjan Dutta by daughter Angkita Dutta, Digboi MLA Rameswar Dhanowar by son Gautam Dhanowar, Moran MLA Jiban Tara Ghatowar by husband Paban Singh Ghatowar, Haflong MLA GC Langthasa by son Nirmal Langthasa, Sarupathar MLA Aklius Tirkey by daughter Roseli Tirkey and Teok MLA Membor Gogoi by daughter-in-law Pallabi Saikia Gogoi.

Some of the new faces given party ticket this time include Angkita Dutta, Nirmal Langthasa, Dr Joyprakash Das, Hiranya Bhuyan, Rupak Sarma, Roseli Tirkey, Sushil Pegu, Pallabi Saikia Gogoi and Dhrubajyoti Gogoi.

Interestingly, Anjan Dutta who was eyeing Sivasagar constituency leaving his Amguri seat to daughter Angkita, did not figure in the list with Congress stalwart Prab Kumar Gogoi getting the party nod.

Speaking to the media, Dutta said, "I'm not contesting this time. Instead, I will campaign for the party throughout the State."

Dutta further said that the second list will be out on April 21. Sources have informed that the APCC will release the list on the sidelines of the Rajya Sabha election to be held on that day.