New Delhi: In a setback for the Congress-led Opposition alliance in Assam, the Communist Occasion of India (Marxist) on Wednesday declared that its MLA Manoranjan Talukdar would contest from the Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency, the place the Congress has already named its candidate, information company PTI reported.
Addressing a press convention, CPI(M) Assam State Secretary Suprakash Talukdar introduced the celebration’s choice to discipline veteran chief and legislator Manoranjan Talukdar from the Barpeta seat. Notably, the CPI(M) MLA at present represents the Sorbhog meeting constituency, falling throughout the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat.
In a bid to consolidate anti-BJP votes, Suprakash Talukdar urged the Congress to withdraw its candidate from Barpeta, emphasising the significance of backing the strongest anti-BJP contender to safe victory.
“For the larger curiosity of the folks, we enchantment to Congress to withdraw its candidate from Barpeta. We enchantment to everybody to vote for the strongest anti-BJP candidate and make him win”, PTI quoted Talukdar as saying.
The Barpeta seat, at present held by Congress MP Abdul Khaleque, who was denied a ticket this time, sees Deep Bayan because the Congress nominee for the linguistically and religiously delicate constituency. Bayan serves because the president of Assam Pradesh Congress Seva Dal and holds a senior spokesperson place in APCC.
CPI(M) varieties a part of the United Opposition Discussion board Assam (UOFA), which includes 16 events aligned with the Indian Nationwide Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A).
Responding to queries in regards to the timing of the Left celebration’s candidate announcement, the state secretary clarified that regardless of prior intimations to the Congress concerning CPI(M)’s intent to contest from Barpeta, the grand previous celebration proceeded with its candidate choice independently.
CPI(M)’s nominee Manoranjan Talukdar criticised the Congress’s choice to discipline a candidate in Barpeta, arguing it could inadvertently profit the BJP-led ruling alliance and undermine Opposition unity.
“If Congress fights in 13 out 14 seats in Assam, the place is the Opposition unity? They don’t seem to be the one celebration. It can’t be a unilateral choice,” PTI quoted Manoranjan Talukdar as saying.
In defence of the Congress’s candidate choice, celebration chief Gaurav Gogoi expressed confidence in Bayan’s candidacy, citing the celebration’s inclusive method in recognising and selling the contributions of varied stakeholders.
“I’ve by no means seen a Seva Dal employee combating elections and successful. However Congress is the one celebration which recognises the contributions of all stakeholders and promotes them too,” PTI quoted Gogoi as saying.
In the meantime, one other UOFA member, the Aam Aadmi Occasion (AAP), has already introduced candidates for 3 seats in Assam. The Communist Occasion of India (CPI) additionally hinted at potential contests in a number of constituencies.
From the ruling coalition, BJP’s ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) nominated senior chief and former minister Phani Bhusan Choudhury, at present representing Bongaigaon, as its candidate for the Barpeta.
Out of Assam’s 14 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress has named candidates for 12, reserving the Dibrugarh seat for alliance companion Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), with the choice pending for the Lakhimpur constituency.