Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nearly finalised its list of candidates for around 90 constituencies in the state ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters after a late-night meeting at the BJP’s state headquarters, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan in Guwahati, Sarma said internal discussions within the party have been completed for a majority of the seats.
He indicated that the BJP is likely to release its first list of candidates between March 10 and March 12.
The Chief Minister said discussions with alliance partners would be held soon to finalise seat-sharing arrangements for the remaining constituencies. The BJP will hold talks with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) regarding the seats yet to be decided, he added.
The meeting at the party headquarters reviewed the political situation across constituencies and assessed potential candidates. With the election process approaching, the party has stepped up organisational preparations and coordination with its allies to put in place a consolidated strategy for the polls.
Meanwhile, Sarma also launched a sharp attack on Sivasagar MLA and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi, saying there was little point in responding to his remarks as the legislator frequently changes his stance on political issues.
“Commenting on Akhil Gogoi’s statements serves no purpose,” the Chief Minister said, alleging that the Raijor Dal leader tends to shift his position on key political matters and would continue to do so until the final day of nomination filing.
The remarks come amid an intensifying exchange of criticism between the ruling BJP and opposition leaders ahead of the Assembly elections.
Gogoi, meanwhile, announced that individuals interested in contesting the upcoming election from Raijor Dal could meet him between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Kaziranga National Orchid Park on March 5.
The announcement is being seen as part of the party’s early efforts to identify potential candidates and expand its outreach ahead of the polls.
With political alignments still evolving and nomination deadlines approaching, the developments reflect the sharpening political contest in Assam in the run-up to the Assembly elections.