Congress Alliance Candidates Submit Nominations for Assam Assembly Elections
In a significant political development, several Congress and alliance candidates officially filed their nomination papers on Friday for the upcoming April 9 assembly elections in Assam. This coordinated effort represented a substantial show of strength across multiple key constituencies throughout the state.
Key Nominations Across Multiple Districts
Leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia formally submitted his nomination as the Congress candidate from the Nazira constituency. He was accompanied by Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi, who simultaneously filed his nomination papers from the Sivasagar constituency. Notably, Gogoi is currently a sitting MLA who secured victory in the previous elections while still incarcerated on sedition charges related to the CAA protests.
At the Dibrugarh deputy commissioner's office, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi filed his nomination from the Khowang constituency. Several other Congress candidates also submitted their papers, including:
- Bipul Gogoi from Tingkhong
- Pranati Phukan from Naharkatia
- Dhruvajyoti Gogoi from Duliajan
- Pranjal Ghatowar from Chabua-Lahowal
Additionally, joint opposition candidate Mainak Patra filed from Dibrugarh Sadar. These candidates were joined by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi, who led supporters in a powerful demonstration of unity during the nomination process.
Former Member of Parliament Ripun Bora also submitted his nomination from the Barchala constituency in Sonitpur district, further expanding the alliance's reach across different regions of Assam.
Political Statements and Strategic Positioning
Speaking to assembled media representatives, Debabrata Saikia directly addressed and dismissed ongoing speculation about potential defections to the ruling party. "As long as there exists a fundamental difference in ideology between the Congress party and the BJP, the question of joining the BJP simply does not arise," Saikia declared emphatically. He added, "I firmly believe in the principles and values enshrined in our Constitution."
Gaurav Gogoi, who was present during the nomination filings in both Sivasagar and Dibrugarh, made a direct appeal to voters to support the alliance candidates. He framed the election as a crucial opportunity to defeat what he characterized as "the corrupt leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma and the communal BJP." Gogoi expressed strong confidence in the alliance's prospects, stating, "We are confident that we will win all three constituencies in Sivasagar. The BJP will be reduced to zero in this region."
Preparations for Additional Nominations
Political preparations are already underway for further nomination filings scheduled for March 23. On Friday, approximately thirty Congress candidates collected their essential 'A' and 'B' forms from Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati. Among those obtaining their forms were Sunil Chetri from Naduar, Ashok Sharma from Nalbari, and Jayanta Khand from Ranganadi.
Looking ahead to Monday, Congress candidates Mira Borthakur from Dispur and Shantanu Bora from New Guwahati are scheduled to file their nominations. Bora plans to lead a procession from Rajiv Bhawan, while Borthakur will commence her procession from the Manvendra Sharma Complex in Dispur, indicating continued momentum in the alliance's campaign activities.
The coordinated nomination filings represent a strategic consolidation of the opposition alliance's position ahead of the crucial assembly elections, with candidates emphasizing ideological clarity and projecting confidence in their electoral prospects across multiple constituencies.
