The Congress on Tuesday announced its first list of 42 candidates for the upcoming elections to the Assam Legislative Assembly, setting the stage for a keen electoral contest in the northeastern state.
The list was finalized by the party’s Central Election Committee and released by AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal. The announcement reflects the party’s attempt to strike a balance between experienced leaders and fresh faces across regions, including constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Among the prominent names in the first list is Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, who has been fielded from the Jorhat constituency.
Other candidates named in the first phase include Abdus Sobahan Ali Sarkar from Gauripur, Markline Marak from Goalpara West (ST), Girish Baruah from Bongaigaon, Mahananda Sarkar from Barpeta (SC), Ramen Singh Rabha from Boko-Chaygaon (ST), Nandita Das from Hajo-Sualkuchi (SC), Satyabrat Kalita from Kamalpur, Mira Borthakur Goswami from Dispur, Diganta Barman from Barkhetri, Ashok Kumar Sarma from Nalbari, Ratul Patuwary from Tihu, Binanda Kumar Saikia from Sipajhar, Bubul Das from Jagiroad (SC), Nurul Huda from Rupohihat, Tanzil Hussain from Samaguri, Utpal Bania from Raha (SC), Swapan Kar from Lumding, Ripen Bora from Barchalla, Narayan Bhuyan from Bihpuria, Raj Kumar Medak from Jonai (ST), Durga Bhumij from Doomdooma, Prateek Bordoloi from Margherita, Pranjal Ghatowar from Chabua-Lahowal, Dhruba Gogoi from Duliajan, Pranati Phukan from Naharkatia, Utpal Gogoi from Sonari, Ajoy Kumar Gogoi from Demow, Debabrata Saikia from Nazira, Indraneel Pegu from Majuli (ST), Pallabi Saikia Gogoi from Teok, Bitupan Saikia from Golaghat, Raton Engti from Bokajan (ST), Augustine Enghee from Rongkhang (ST), M. Santi Kumar Singha from Lakhipur, Ajit Singh from Udharbond, Dr. Amit Kumar Kalwar from Barkhola, Abhijit Paul from Silchar, Aminul Haque Lasker from Sonai, Jakaria Ahmed from Karimganj North, Kartik Sena Sinha from Patharkandi, and Suruchi Roy from Ramkrishna Nagar (SC).
The announcement marks the formal beginning of the Congress party’s campaign for the state polls. Party leaders indicated that additional names would be released in subsequent lists. The selection underscores the party’s strategy to strengthen its grassroots presence across Upper Assam, Lower Assam, Barak Valley and the hill districts.
With the electoral battle expected to be intense, the first list signals the Congress’ intent to consolidate its traditional support base while reaching out to new voter segments across the state.