1. 38 candidates, including Sarbananda Sonowal and Gaurav Gogoi, filed nominations for Assam’s April Lok Sabha polls.
2. First-phase polls cover constituencies like Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, and Kaziranga.
3. Key candidates include Union Minister Sonowal and senior Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi.
Guwahati, March 28:Â 38 candidates, including prominent figures like Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and senior Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, have submitted their nominations for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls scheduled on April 19 in Assam.
Last Day Rush for Nominations
On the final day of filing nominations, 26 candidates submitted their papers. Notable among them were sitting BJP MP Topon Gogoi in Jorhat, Rajya Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa in Kaziranga, and MLA Ranjit Dutta in Sonitpur.
The constituencies up for the first phase of polls are Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, and Kaziranga.
High-profile Filings
Accompanied by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, candidates like Gaurav Gogoi and Kamakhya Prasad Tasa expressed confidence in securing victory and supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for a third consecutive term.
Key Contests
In Jorhat, Gogoi’s main opponent is Lok Sabha Deputy Leader of the opposition, Topon Gogoi. Kaziranga witnesses a contest between Tasa and former MLA Roselina Tirkey of Congress.
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Varied Competitions
Each constituency sees multiple contenders. For instance, Sonitpur witnesses BJP MLA Ranjit Dutta’s nomination, alongside others like Prem Lal Ganju from Congress, Rishiraj Kaundilya from AAP, and various independents.
Diversity in Candidates
Candidates from different parties and independents join the fray, including those from AAP, Voters Party International (VPI), Bodo Peoples’ Front (BPF), Bahujan Maha Party, Gana Sangram Parishad, and independents, reflecting a diverse electoral landscape.
Scrutiny and Withdrawal
Scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for March 28, with the last date for withdrawal set for March 30.
The bustling nomination process signifies the intense electoral competition in Assam, with candidates from various parties vying for victory.
The coming weeks will witness rigorous campaigning and political maneuvering as the state gears up for the Lok Sabha elections.
