Guwahati: Indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley on Monday filed his nomination as an Independent candidate from the Bokakhat Assembly constituency, setting up a direct contest with sitting MLA and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora.
Doley, an indigenous Mising, had contested the 2021 Assembly elections from Bokakhat, where he secured a substantial vote share and finished second to Bora. He is once again positioning himself as a challenger in a constituency where issues of land, identity and conservation remain central to political discourse.
Known for his advocacy on fortress conservation, indigenous land rights and politcs of extraction, Doley has built his public profile around grassroots mobilisation in the region, particularly in areas adjoining Kaziranga National Park.
His candidature also comes against the backdrop of his growing visibility at international forums. In 2025, Doley represented India at the 14th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, where he participated in discussions on indigenous rights and sustainable transitions.
Despite this profile, Doley was not fielded by any party within the opposition alliance, a development that has prompted questions in political circles over candidate selection and the space available for grassroots leaders within established party structures.