Assam Assembly Elections: 52 Candidates file nomination papers for 1st phase polls

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With just one more day left for the filing of nomination papers for the first-phase Assembly polls in the State slated on March 27, a number of top leaders of various political parties filed their papers on Monday. Election Department informed that till date, altogether 52 candidates have filed their nomination papers.

Scrutiny of the filed nomination papers for the first-phase polls will take place on March 10. The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is March 12.

Altogether 47 LACs (Legislative Assembly Constituencies) — in 11 of the total 34 districts of Assam — are going to the polls in the first phase. These 10 districts are Sonitpur, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat, Chariadeo, Tinsukia, Majuli, Lakhimpur, and Dhemaji.

Among the top leaders who filed papers on Monday is the Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, Hitendra Nath Goswami (as BJP candidate from Jorhat), AGP president Atul Bora (Bokakhat); Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora (Gohpur); Asom JatiyaParishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi (Naharkatia and Duliajan); Raijor Dal (RD) president Akhil Gogoi (Sibsagar and Mariani); AGP workingpresidentKeshab Mahanta (Kaliabor); All India Congress Committee secretaries Bhupen Bora (Bihpuria) and Rana Goswami (Jorhat).

The list also includes BJP candidates Naba Kumar Doley (Dhakuakhana), PrasantaPhukan (Dibrugarh), Ajanta Neog (Golaghat), TerashGowalla (Duliajan), and KushalDowari (Thowra); Congress candidates Ankita Dutta (Amguri); Pallabi Gogoi (Teok) and BitopanSaikia (Golaghat); besides AGP candidate Jayanta Khaund (Naoboicha).

After filing nominations, each of the leaders evinced confidence, before the media, that he will win.

AGP president Atul Bora said in Bokakhat, "Our alliance will get 100-plus seats. Our joint fight will be against the alliance of the Congress and the AIUDF (All India United Democratic Front). I will definitely win in Bokakhat."

APCC president Ripun Bora stated in Gohpur, "The joint fight of our 'Mahajoot' is against corruption and non-performance of the BJP-led coalition government in Assam. Our grand alliance will get 100-plus seats in the Assembly polls. The electorates of Gohpur supported me earlier. This time too, they will do so.

AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi said, "Our fight will be against the national parties and the communal forces. This time, the electorates of Assam will vote to power a government formed by the regional parties led by the Assam Jatiya Parishad."

Meanwhile as allowed by the Special Judges Court, NIA (National Investigation Agency), Raijor Dal (RD) president Akhil Gogoi took the oath for filing the nomination papers before the Superintendent of GMCH (Gauhati Medical College & Hospital) at Bhangagarh, where he is undergoing treatment. Subsequently, on his behalf, his nomination papers were filed by his supporters in Sibsagar and Mariani. He also released a six-page open letter seeking support for the party from the electorates of Assam.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will file his nomination paper for Majuli LAC on March 9.

Sources in the Election department said two nomination papers have been filed so far for the second phase of elections scheduled to be held on April 1.

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