Digboi: BJP MLA from Digboi, Suren Phukan, has alleged a sustained and “orchestrated campaign of fake news” aimed at affecting his candidature ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
He claimed that, on average, at least three pieces of false and misleading content were circulated daily on social media to portray him as unworthy and incompetent.
Addressing supporters after his return from Dibrugarh Airport, Phukan said such attempts did not succeed due to public support. “The blessings of the people decisively defeated these conspiracies, and I dedicate my party ticket entirely to them,” he said.
A three-time BJP nominee from Digboi and a two-term MLA since 2016, Phukan received a large welcome on his return. Party leaders, workers, and supporters participated in a nearly 100-km-long rally across the constituency. The procession passed through locations including Tingrai Bazar and Powai.
Speaking at multiple stops along the route, Phukan attributed his renomination to his development record and the continued support of voters. He alleged that some sections had attempted to block his candidature through misinformation campaigns, but said public support had countered such efforts.
He also expressed confidence about the upcoming election, stating that he expects to win by a margin exceeding 50,000 votes.
He thanked the party leadership and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for recognising his work and said he would continue to serve all sections of society.
The electoral significance of Digboi is reflected in its sizeable voter base within Tinsukia district. According to the final electoral roll published on February 10, the district has a total of 10,03,490 registered voters across 1,280 polling stations.
This includes 5,15,714 female voters, 4,87,742 male voters, and 34 third-gender voters.
Within this, 84 Digboi LAC accounts for 1,47,098 voters, making it an important constituency in the district. Other constituencies include Sadiya with 2,01,512 voters, Doomdooma with 1,47,990 voters, Margherita with 1,76,109 voters, Makum with 1,58,430 voters, and Tinsukia with 1,72,351 voters.
Election management in the district is being conducted on a large scale, with 1,280 Presiding Officers and 3,840 Polling Officers deployed. A total of 205 polling stations have been identified as critical, while 343 polling stations will be managed entirely by women personnel.
The smallest polling station is located at Hanju Gaon Community Centre under Margherita LAC with 40 voters, while the largest, at Rajgarh Ali T.E. Staff Club under Makum LAC, has 1,271 voters.
Meanwhile, the BJP has announced candidates across key constituencies in Upper Assam. Bhaskar Sharma has been fielded from Margherita, Sanjoy Kishan from the Makum constituency, and Pulok Gohain from Tinsukia. Bolin Chetia will contest from Sadiya, while Rupesh Gowala has been nominated from Doomdooma.
Except for Tinsukia, all sitting BJP legislators in the district have been re-nominated, indicating the party’s focus on continuity.