Guwahati, 19 March (HS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released its first list of 88 candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, introducing a mix of new faces, dropping several sitting MLAs and reshuffling candidates across constituencies in a calculated bid to strengthen its electoral position.

One of the most striking decisions in the list is the exclusion of former state BJP president Siddhartha Bhattacharya, who has been denied a ticket from the New Guwahati constituency. The party has instead nominated Diplu Ranjan Sarmah, currently representing Samaguri, from the seat.

Bhattacharya’s omission has triggered discussions within political circles, considering his long association with the party and his organisational contributions. A BJP member since 1995, he served as the Assam unit president during 2014–15 and is widely regarded as a key figure in facilitating Himanta Biswa Sarma’s entry into the party during a crucial phase of its expansion in the state.

His political career has seen both setbacks and comebacks. After losing the Gauhati East seat in 2011, he returned strongly in 2016 with a massive victory margin and later served as Assam’s Education Minister from 2018 to 2021. However, his exclusion from the cabinet earlier and now from the candidates’ list has intensified speculation over shifting equations within the party.

The BJP has also dropped several other prominent leaders. Senior leader Atul Bora has been replaced by former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi, while Hemanga Thakuria has made way for Himangshu Shekhar Baishya in Palasbari. In Bihpuria, Amiya Bhuyan has been replaced by former Assam Congress Chief Bhupen Borah, indicating significant political realignments.

In Hojai, sitting MLA Ramakrishna Ghosh has been replaced by former MLA Shiladitya Dev, while Diganta Ghatowal has been substituted by Munindra Das in Behali. Similarly, Ritu Baran Sarmah has been fielded from Barchalla in place of Ganesh Limbu.

At the same time, the party has retained some of its established faces. Suren Phukan will contest again from Digboi and Prashanta Phukan has been re-nominated from Dibrugarh. In Tinsukia, Pulak Gohain replaces Sanjay Kishan, who has been shifted to Makum.

Further changes include Pallab Lochan Das replacing Promod Borthakur in Biswanath and Suriya Rongphar being fielded from Bokajan in place of Nomal Momin. In Silchar, former MP Rajdeep Roy has been nominated, replacing Dipayan Chakraborty.

Meanwhile, the Jorhat constituency is set to witness a high-profile contest, where sitting MLA and former Assembly Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami will face Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi, setting the stage for a closely watched electoral battle.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash