BJP Snubs Nihar Ranjan Das, Fields Amiya Kanti Das from Dholai; Incumbent MLA Resigns

In a significant political development ahead of the Assam Legislative Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dropped sitting MLA Nihar Ranjan Das from the Dholai constituency, replacing him with Amiya Kanti Das in its latest list of candidates. 

Within hours of the announcement, Nihar Ranjan Das tendered his resignation from the party’s primary membership.

Barak Bulletin has accessed a copy of the resignation letter submitted by Das to the BJP Assam Pradesh president. In the letter dated March 19 from Silchar, the Dholai MLA expressed disappointment over being denied a party ticket despite what he described as his sincere efforts and contributions.

“I have the honor to state that being an MLA, Dholai LAC, I worked honestly and most sincerely. I have raised the party’s image among the people of Dholai LAC within a short period of time. But unfortunately BJP has not recognized me and has deprived me of getting party ticket,” Das wrote.

Citing this as the reason, he announced his decision to step down from the party’s primary membership. “As such, I am tendering my resignation from the Primary Membership of BJP,” the letter reads. He further requested the party leadership to accept his resignation and relieve him of all responsibilities.

The resignation has also been marked to key functionaries, including the Chief Minister of Assam, the BJP’s General Secretary (Organisation), and the party’s Cachar district president, indicating the seriousness of the development.

The BJP’s decision to field Amiya Kanti Das from Dholai is being seen as a strategic move, though it has triggered discontent within sections of the local leadership. With the incumbent MLA stepping down, the political contest in Dholai is expected to intensify in the coming days.

It is worth mentioning here that Nihar Ranjan contested the by-election after Parimal Suklabaidya was fielded to contest from Silchar.