BJP releases list of candidates for Assam; Sarma to contest from Jalukbari

The BJP on Thursday announced its list of 88 candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, fielding Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from his traditional Jalukbari seat. Under the new seat-sharing arrangement, the saffron party will contest 89 seats, the AGP 26, and the BPF 11 in the 126-member Assembly. The name of the candidate from the Sissiborgaon constituency has been withheld.

Prominent candidates include Pradyut Bordoloi, who joined the BJP on Wednesday after leaving Congress. He has been fielded from the Dispur Assembly constituency. Another leader who switched sides to the BJP, Bhupen Borah—the former state Congress chief—has been nominated from Bihpuria.

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While signaling continuity, the party has also dropped around 11 sitting MLAs.

Meanwhile, only five women candidates have been fielded for the elections, the voting for which will be held in a single phase on April 9, and counting of votes on May 4.

The party is seeking to retain power in the state, with Sarma aiming for another term as Chief Minister.

In the 2021 elections, the NDA comprising the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad, and the United People’s Party Liberal won with 75 seats. For these elections the BJP has brought the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) back into its fold. The UPPL had earlier left the NDA, citing ideological differences.