Tinsukia: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has renominated incumbent MLA and Labour Welfare Minister Rupesh Gowala for the Doomdooma Assembly constituency in Tinsukia district of Upper Assam in its first list of candidates for the April 9 state Assembly elections.
This sets up a rematch against Congress leader Durga Bhumij, who was named as the party’s candidate in its initial list released on March 3.
Gowala, a first-time minister inducted into the Himanta Biswa Sarma cabinet in December 2024, won the seat in 2021, defeating Bhumij by 8,138 votes (49,119 to 40,981).
The BJP’s decision to field him again reflects its assessment of his performance, including work related to labour welfare initiatives and distribution of land pattas to tea garden workers, a key voter group in this Upper Assam constituency.
Party workers in Doomdooma reacted positively to the announcement, describing it as recognition of Gowala’s grassroots work and role as a minister. A senior local BJP functionary, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Rupesh Da’s renomination has ignited fresh energy across booths. His focus on tea-tribe welfare and development has strengthened our base; we are fully geared to secure a bigger mandate this time.”
Congress has fielded Bhumij, a former MLA who won the seat in 2016 with 46,938 votes. The party considers his connect with Adivasi and tea communities important for the contest.
Bhumij expressed resolve in a statement relayed through party channels: “The people of Doom Dooma deserve accountable governance and protection of their rights. I am committed to addressing their aspirations and restoring the constituency’s legacy of inclusive progress.”
Political analysts describe the contest as a direct BJP-Congress contest in a seat that has alternated between the two parties since its inception in 1951.
The constituency, which includes the Doomdooma municipal board and parts of Hapjan and Kakopather blocks, is considered significant in reflecting tea-tribe voter sentiment in eastern Assam.
With polling scheduled for April 9 and counting on May 4, both parties are expected to step up campaigning in tea garden areas.
The outcome may indicate broader trends among labour-dominated voters in the wider contest for Assam’s 126 Assembly seats.
The Doomdooma constituency faces several issues, including environmental concerns, forests, wildlife, illiteracy, unemployment, drugs, health, crime, floods and erosion, and rehabilitation, among others since post-independence.
“I wish to see a candidate who can abandon personal pleasure and luxury and commit his life to protecting the environment and people’s interests here,” said Aaditya Goswami, a local resident.