Amit Shah to Lead Major Roadshow in Guwahati for BJP Candidate Ahead of Assam Assembly Elections
In a significant move to intensify campaign momentum, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive in Guwahati on Saturday evening. His visit centers around a substantial roadshow spanning over one kilometer in support of the Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate for the Guwahati Central constituency.
Roadshow Details and Route Selection
After landing at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Shah will proceed to the Arya Vidyapith College Playground at Gopinath Nagar. From this location, the roadshow will commence, extending up to the Nepali Mandir chowk, covering a distance exceeding one kilometer.
Tapan Das, the BJP's Guwahati city district president, provided insights into the event's logistics. He confirmed that the Union Home Minister will travel in an open vehicle during the roadshow, with an anticipated participation of approximately 70,000 party workers and supporters.
Das explained the rationale behind selecting the AK Azad Road for the event. "The roadshow could not be held on the Guwahati-Shillong road as it is the busiest thoroughfare in the city. Organizing it there would paralyze normal public life. Therefore, we have chosen the route from Arya Vidyapeeth College to Nepali Mandir chowk," he stated.
He further noted that no activities are planned outside the airport this time, as party workers will assemble directly at the Arya Vidyapeeth College playground.
Electoral Context and Candidate Profile
The Guwahati Central constituency features a contest between BJP candidate Vijay Kumar Gupta, aged 70, and Assam Jaitya Parishad candidate Kunki Chowdhury, aged 27. This constituency was reconstituted during the delimitation exercise conducted in 2023.
Guwahati comprises five assembly constituencies: New Guwahati, Guwahati Central, Dispur, Jalukbari, and Dimoria (SC). The BJP will contest in four of these seats, while its ally, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), will contest in the Dimoria seat.
Notably, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will seek a sixth consecutive term from the Jalukbari constituency. Das mentioned that CM Sarma might join the roadshow, although this has not been officially confirmed. "There is no confirmation on the participation of other candidates in the roadshow as well," he added.
Post-Roadshow Engagements and Broader Campaign Schedule
Following the roadshow, Amit Shah will conduct a meeting with the party's state office bearers at a hotel in Guwahati. His campaign itinerary extends beyond this event, with a packed schedule across Assam.
On Sunday, Shah will campaign for Minister Ashok Singhal at the Dhekiajuli Tea Estate football field in Sonitpur district. Subsequently, he will visit Tihu to campaign for Minister Chandramohan Patowary at the Chamata Higher Secondary School field in Nalbari district, concluding his two-day visit.
Shah is set to return to Assam on April 2 for campaigning in the Barak Valley region. He will campaign for Minister Krishnendu Paul at Lalmati in Sribhumi district and for former MP Rajdeep Roy at the District Sports Association Playground in Silchar.
Election Timeline and Significance
Polling for Assam's 126-member legislative assembly is scheduled for April 9, with the counting of votes slated for May 4. Amit Shah's roadshow and subsequent campaign activities underscore the BJP's focused efforts to mobilize support and secure victories in key constituencies across the state.
The roadshow in Guwahati Central, a reconstituted constituency, highlights the party's strategy to strengthen its presence in urban areas and leverage high-profile leadership to galvanize the electorate ahead of the crucial polls.
