Guwahati: The Kaziranga Lok Sabha constituency in Assam emerges as a fresh political entity, born out of the recent delimitation process, supplanting the erstwhile Kaliabor LS constituency.
Crafted in August 2023 during the delimitation exercise, Kaziranga assumes prominence as one of the inaugural constituencies to cast its vote on April 19 in the impending Lok Sabha elections. The outcome of this electoral contest, alongside all others, will be unveiled on June 4.
In the roster of candidates for the 2024 electoral fray in the Kaliabor Lok Sabha Constituency, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa from the BJP and Roselina Tirkey from the Congress stand out prominently.
Comprising ten assembly segments, the Kaziranga Lok Sabha constituency encompasses Kaliabor, Barhampur, Binnakandi, Hojai, Lumding, Golaghat, Dergaon, Khumtai, Bokakhat, and Sarupathar.
Among these, apart from Kaliabor and Dergaon, the BJP holds sway over the remaining seven Assembly seats—Barhampur, Hojai, Lumding, Golaghat, Dergaon, Khumtai, Bokakhat, and Sarupathar. Kaliabor and Dergaon seats are represented by AGP MLAs.
Binnakandi emerges as a freshly minted Assembly constituency following the delimitation process carried out by the ECI. According to ECI data, the constituency boasts a total of 2,033,572 voters, with 1,018,205 males and 1,015,367 females exercising their electoral rights.
This constituency spans across two districts—Nagaon and Golaghat.
Formerly known as Kaliabor, the constituency was a bastion of the Congress party, with stalwarts like former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi leaving an indelible mark. His son, Gaurav Gogoi, served as the last MP from the seat. However, post-delimitation, Gaurav Gogoi has transitioned to the Jorhat Constituency, where he faces off against Tapan Kumar Gogoi from the BJP.
Demographically, Hindus constitute the majority, followed by a significant Muslim minority, while Christians represent a smaller fraction of the electorate.
Winners of Kaziranga Lok Sabha Constituency in 2019
The 2019 elections witnessed an 82.09% voter turnout, culminating in Congress candidate Gaurav Gogoi clinching victory with a substantial margin of 209,994 votes, amassing a total of 786,092 votes. Gaurav Gogoi vanquished Moni Madhab Mahanta of the AGP, who garnered 576,098 votes.
However, with the advent of delimitation, the electoral battleground now sees Rajya Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa from the BJP and Roselina Tirkey from the Congress vying for victory in Kaziranga.
While Kaziranga embarks on its maiden electoral journey this year, the Kaliabor LS seat boasts a lineage of past MPs.
Past Winners of Kaliabor Lok Sabha Constituency:
– Bedabrata Barua: 1967-1977 (Congress)
– Bishnu Prasad: 1980 (Congress)
– Bhadreswar Tanti: 1984 (Independent)
– Tarun Gogoi: 1991 (Congress)
– Keshab Mahanta: 1996 (AGP)
– Tarun Gogoi: 1998-1999 (Congress)
– Dip Gogoi: 2002-2009 (Congress)
– Gaurav Gogoi: 2014-2019 (Congress)