Guwahati, Jan 10: The ruling BJP and its allies will field candidates for all three Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant in Assam this April, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday.
Sarma expressed confidence in securing victories for two seats, while saying the third seat also remains within reach. The vacancies arise from the retirement of BJP MPs Bhubaneswar Kalita and Rameswar Teli, along with Independent MP Ajit Bhuyan.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Sarma said, “The BJP, AGP, and our united front will field candidates for all three seats. We will win two for sure. The third one, we may win or lose.”
He added that the coalition had earlier refrained from contesting against Bhuyan, considering him neutral and supportive of public interest. However, Sarma criticized Bhuyan’s handling of Rajya Sabha MP funds amid corruption allegations.
In the 126-member Assam Assembly, the BJP holds 64 seats, while allies AGP (9), UPPL (7), and BPF (3) add to the ruling coalition’s strength. The opposition includes Congress (26), AIUDF (15), CPI(M) (1), and one Independent MLA.
