Guwahati, 14 September (HS): The Congress is yet to finalise its candidate for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, with the process reportedly triggering differences between senior party leaders Rakibul Hussain and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi. The contest over who should get the party ticket has emerged as a fresh point of discussion within the state Congress ahead of the October 6 bypoll.

According to Rakibul Hussain, if the party does not announce its candidate soon, a signature campaign could be launched against Gaurav Gogoi. The remarks have added to speculation about an internal tussle over the selection of the Congress nominee.

The BJP has already named former IAS officer Debashish Sharma as its candidate, raising the stakes for Congress in the by-election.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Bhupen Kumar Borah attacked the Congress over the reported differences, saying that the party would eventually be finished if such internal conflicts continued.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash