Guwahati, Mar 17: The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), a partner in the Congress-led opposition alliance, on Tuesday released its first list of eight candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections.

The list includes party president Lurinjyoti Gogoi, who will contest from Khowang, and working president Rajen Gohain, who has been fielded from Barhampur.

Addressing a press conference, Gogoi said the party would contest 10 seats as part of the opposition alliance. Candidates for Guwahati Central and Sadiya constituencies are yet to be announced. He stated that discussions with alliance partners are ongoing and indicated the possibility of friendly contests in a few seats.

The other candidates announced are Bani Das (Morigaon), Pankaj Lochan Goswami (Palasbari), Jibon Chutia (Sarupathar), Dilip Baruah (Bajali), Rejaul Karim Choudhury (Bindakandi), and Mounak Patra (Dibrugarh).

Polling for the Assam Assembly elections is scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes set for May 4.

Gogoi also raised concerns over the election schedule, stating that its duration is short. He said the timing coincides with the upcoming Bohag Bihu festivities. He further referred to the death of singer Zubeen Garg in September last year, noting that authorities in Singapore had reported drowning as the cause of death, while the Assam government described the case as murder and arrested several individuals.