Sushmita Dev tenders resignation after disagreement on Rumi Nath's candidature, seat-sharing

Congress is yet to declare its list of candidates to contest in the Assembly elections. In its meeting since yesterday, there has been a disagreement on seat sharing. According to sources present in the meeting, AICC secretary Jitendra Singh agreed to AIUDF’s demand and sacrificed seats in Sonai, Katigorah, and Hailakandi.

Sources said that Sushmita Dev opposed this decision and instead reiterated that Sonai is a bastion of Congress and the party must field a strong candidate. However, considering the alliance, the party’s Assam in-charge of the election decided against Dev’s will. She agreed.

Later, Jitendra Singh shortlisted Rumi Nath to contest from Borkhola and that is when the Mahila Congress President Sushmita Dev walked out from the meeting at a Star Hotel in Guwahati. Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha intervened and tried to solve the issue through dialogue.

Sources said, Sushmita Dev pointed out that Rumi Nath was looking for a BJP ticket and only because she did not get one, she rejoined the Congress. “How can the party field a candidate who was expelled for getting involved in anti-party activities,” is what she questioned in the meeting.

Speaking with Barak Bulletin, MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha said, “Yes, it is true that she has tendered her resignation. However, the same has not been accepted yet.”

Rumi Nath has gone public declaring her affinity towards BJP. Moreover, she has also, on social media, shared a lot of posts praising prime minister Narendra Modi and NEDA Chief, Himanta Biswa Sarma. Many in Rumi Nath’s close circuit said it is an attempt to please the right-wing think tanks.

However, party’s state president made it clear that Rumi Nath won’t even become a member of BJP and one must forget about her candidature from BJP. After that comment, Rumi Nath started siding the Congress again. Sources also said that her father met Jitendra Singh when he visited Silchar.

There is a rumour that Sushmita Dev also opposed Tamal Banik’s candidature from Silchar. However, that is not true, confirmed highly placed sources. A source said, “Sushmita Dev in the meeting, said Tamal Kanti Banik is a great choice and she will go with all her might to support Banik win in Silchar. The goal, is to defeat BJP and whoever gets the candidature must work for the benefit of the party is what she said.”

Sources also said that Sushmita Dev called Tamal Kanti Banik and urged him to contest from Silchar.