Assam By-Elections: BJP and Congress Name Candidates, Set for Competition in Dholai and Samaguri

With the by-elections set for 13 November 2024, political parties in Assam are ramping up preparations for a crucial electoral battle. The Congress party president, Mallikarjun Kharge, has officially announced the candidates for four important constituencies, signalling the party’s readiness to take on its rivals. The announcement came on 20 October 2024, just a day after the BJP revealed its list of contenders. The stakes are particularly high, with Congress and BJP set to face off in two significant seats: Samaguri and Dholai.

The Dholai constituency has attracted considerable attention, especially with the choice of candidates from both major parties. Congress has fielded Dhrubajyoti Purkayastha, a seasoned member with deep-rooted connections in local politics, while BJP has opted for Nihar Ranjan Das, a long-time party figure with a legal background. Notably, Dholai is a Scheduled Caste (SC)-reserved seat, and both candidates bring distinct experiences to the table. Das’s career spans law, tea estate management, and leadership roles within the BJP, while Purkayastha comes from a political family with a history in Congress, following in his father’s footsteps.

Nihar Ranjan Das, the BJP candidate for Dholai, has a background in law and management, with a law degree from Karimganj Law College and an MBA from Assam University. His career includes practising law in the District Court of Cachar, managing roles at Rosekandy Tea Estate, and currently chairing the Silchar Sub-divisional SC Development Board. He joined the BJP in 2001 after leaving the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and has since risen within the party, even serving as a National Council Member.

On the other hand, Congress’s Dhrubajyoti Purkayastha carries a political legacy as the son of Late Digendra Chandra Purkayastha, a two-time MLA from Dholai. Active in student politics from a young age, he progressed through various leadership roles in Congress and is now the General Secretary of the District Congress Committee in Silchar, maintaining strong grassroots connections.

In total, the Congress has named four candidates in Assam for the upcoming by-elections, while the BJP has announced three. Both parties will directly compete in Dholai and Samaguri, with Tanzil Hussain representing Congress and Shri Diplu Ranjan Sarma contesting for BJP in Samaguri. Other constituencies include Sidli, where Congress has chosen Sanjib Warle, and Bongaigaon, represented by Brajenjit Sinha for Congress. Additionally, BJP has named Shri Diganta Ghatowar as its candidate in Behali. It remains to be seen which party can secure these seats and reinforce their standing in Assam’s political landscape.