BJP snubbed tickets from Aspirants; Threaten to contest polls as Independents

Dissatisfaction among a few ticket aspirants of the BJP has come up after the party released its third and final list of candidates for the three-phase Assam Assembly elections.

Three-time MLA Pranab Kalita expressed disappointment over the party’s decision to deny him ticket from the Palashbari legislative Assembly constituency.

“It is very sad that despite winning from the seat three times, the party has chosen not to nominate me this time. I will therefore contest the poll as an Independent candidate…I have my supporters and well-wishers in the constituency,” the incumbent legislator said.

BJP has nominated a relatively younger aspirant, Hemanga Thakuria for Palashbari constituency.

Meanwhile, another strong candidate and a BJP worker for 30 years, Jayanta Das has been denied a ticket for the Dispur Legislative Assembly constituency (LAC) . Sitting MLA Atul Bora is nominated for the seat.

Assam BJP leader and minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday, acknowledged Das’ contributions to the party as a karyakarta. He also mentioned him as a worthy candidate for Dispur LAC.

“However, the party has decided to nominate the senior politician (Atul Bora) and, I believe that Jayanta Das would not contest as an Independent and instead help the party do well in the polls,” Sarma said.