From youngsters to golden oldies...

ASSAM ELECTION 2016

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, March 29: Anyone of age 25 years or above can contest elections in India. Though there is a minimum age limit, Indian democracy has specified no upper age limit. With election fever gripping the entire State, we have a report on the youngest and oldest candidates in the fray.

We begin with the CPI candidate for West Bilasipara constituency Gyasuddin Ahmed. At 87, Ahmed is not lagging behind in zeal to represent his people. Ahmed is the seniormost contestant in this assembly election.

Next on the list is former minister Premadhar Bora. The 82 year-old is contesting as an Independent candidate (backed by Asom Sangrami Mancha) from Bihpuria constituency. The octogerian had been a people’s representative of the constituency earlier.

The third among the octogerian contestants is Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Prab Kumar Gogoi. The 80-year old sitting MLA is contesting from Sivasagar constituency on Congress ticket.

Another bigshot in the list is none other than Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. At 79, Gogoi is contesting from Titabor constituency for the fourth consecutive term. Needless to mention, Gogoi is eyeing a fourth consecutive term for the Congress party to hold the reins of power in the State.

In this election, 6 candidates including the four mentioned above are over 75 years old. On the other hand, 9 candidates are just 25 years old. The list of candidates who are just 25 years old include — Mukhtar Hussain-IND (Karimganj South), Samujjal Das-IND (Katigorah), Ruhit Basumatary-IND (Sarupathar), Mir Hussain Sarkar-RPI (A) (Gauripur), Ajmira Aktar –JNCP (Bilasipara West), Mujaharul Islam-IND (Goalpara East), Abdul Wahab Sheikh- BHARP (Jaleswar), Maharishi Chakravarty-RSSC (lbari) and Shamol Das-IND (Jamumukh).

Then there are 9 candidates in the 26 years age group. Among them is Mehj Sahid Choudhury, the AGP candidate for Algapur constituency. It may be mentioned that Mehj is daughter of late AGP leader Sahidul Alam Choudhury.

There are also 6 candidates who are just 27 years old.

Angkita Dutta, daughter of APCC president Anjan Dutta, contesting from one of the most crucial seats, is just 28 years old. Angkita is contesting against AGP heavyweight Pradip Hazarika from Amguri constituency.