Defectors from Congress find new home in BJP's Assam election list

Introduction

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its first list of candidates for the April 9 Assembly election in Assam, and it includes several defectors from the Congress party. The move is seen as a significant development in the run-up to the election, which is expected to be highly competitive.

Defectors find new home

Four of five recent defectors from Congress, including an MP and three MLAs, have found their way into the BJP's list of 88 candidates for the Assam assembly election. The defectors include Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who quit Congress just two days ago, and Bhupen Kumar Borah, a former State Congress president.

Missing from the list

However, there are some notable omissions from the list. Deputy Assembly Speaker Numal Momin (Bokajan constituency), Minister Nandita Garlosa (Haflong), and Phanidhar Talukdar, who defected after winning the 2021 polls from Bhabanipur on an All India United Democratic Front ticket, are missing from the list.

Women candidates

The BJP has also named six women candidates in its list of 88. They include Madhavi Das (Birsing-Jarua), Jyotsna Kalita (Chamaria), Nilima Devi (Mangaldai), Niso Terangpi (Diphu), and Rupali Langthasa (Haflong).

Ministers seeking re-election

Several BJP ministers are seeking re-election, including Ranjeet Kumar Dass from Bhowanipur-Sorbhog, Chandra Mohan Patowary from Tihu, Ranoj Pegu from Dhemaji, Ashok Singhal from Dhekiajuli, Pijush Hazarika from Jagiroad, Bimal Bora from Tingkhong, Jayanta Malla Baruah from Nalbari, Prasanta Phukan from Dibrugarh, Kaushik Rai from Lakhipur, Krishnendu Paul from Patharkandi, and Rupesh Gowala from Doomdooma.

Conclusion

The BJP's list of candidates for the Assam assembly election is a significant development in the run-up to the election. The inclusion of defectors from Congress is seen as a strategic move by the party to strengthen its chances of winning the election.