BJP has announced its candidate list for 70 assembly constituencies in Assam, denying party tickets to 11 sitting MLAs from the saffron party.
The replacement of the incumbents: 1 minister and 10 MLAs with new faces have taken place in Sonari, Bihpuria, Lahowal, Silchar, Borkhola, Katigarah, Haflong, Diphu, Nalbari, and Baithalangso respectively.
The party has denied a ticket to the current MLA of Diphu assembly constituency, Sum Ronghang, who is also a minister of the Sonowal cabinet and has replaced him with former MLA Bidya Sing Enegleng.
Other denied MLAs include Nabanita Handique, Debananda Hazarika, Rituparna Baruah, Dilip Paul, Kishor Nath, Bir Bhadra Hagjer, Dr Mansing Rongpi, Joyram Engleng, and Ashok Sharma.
Golaghat District witnessed quick floor crossings between BJP and Congress, as BJP denied a ticket to BJP President Bitupon Saikia and instead gave it to former Congress Minister Ajanta Neog who recently joined the party. Saikia instead joined Congress.
Ahead of the assembly polls, former CM and senior leader of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Prafulla Kumar Mahanta may join AGP (Progressive), which is in touch with Congress-AIUDF led grand alliance.
BJP has announced its candidate from Mahanta’s home seat, Barhampur, where from he has been elected to the Assam Assembly since 1985.
