Doomdooma: The electoral contest in Assam’s Doomdooma constituency of Tinsukia district reached its final stage on Tuesday. This time, there are only two candidates, Rupesh Gowala (BJP) and Durga Bhumij (INC).
Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) conducted rallies and roadshows on the last day of campaigning ahead of the Assam Assembly elections.
The 82-Doomdooma Assembly constituency, comprising 1,47,990 voters, including 69,867 male, 78,119 female, and 4 third-gender electors, is witnessing a direct contest between sitting BJP MLA and Cabinet Minister Rupesh Gowala and Congress challenger Durga Bhumij, a former two-term legislator.
The outcome is expected to depend on the tea tribe and Adivasi communities, which together make up nearly 58–60 percent of the electorate.
Issues such as fair wages, healthcare access in tea gardens, employment opportunities, and welfare schemes have been central to the campaigns. Both candidates, belonging to the tea tribe community, have focused on engaging these voters through outreach and community interaction.
Congress candidate Durga Bhumij launched a sharp attack on the incumbent government, alleging systemic failures, particularly in the healthcare sector. He claimed that “patients in tea garden areas are forced to shuttle between understaffed hospitals without proper treatment,” pointing to gaps in infrastructure and manpower.
Bhumij also raised concerns over “rising prices, unemployment, poor education facilities, and corruption,” describing his party as the vehicle for “real change and accountable governance.”
Apart from tea tribes, the constituency includes 22–25 percent indigenous Assamese voters, around 11 percent Bengali electors, and smaller groups of Nepali, ex-tea garden communities, and Christians. The demographic mix, including Muslim, Hindi-speaking, and Bengali Hindu voters, adds complexity to the electoral landscape.
Rural voters’ concerns include river erosion, rehabilitation, and unemployment.
The final result will be declared on April 9, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.