GUWAHATI: Two prominent candidates from key constituencies, Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi and Sarbananda Sonowal of the BJP officially entered the fray by submitting their nomination papers in Jorhat and Dibrugarh, respectively, on Tuesday.
Accompanied by hordes of supporters, both leaders made their way to the district commissioners’ offices in their respective constituencies to formalise their candidacies.
Before filing his nomination, Gogoi, embarked on a spiritual journey seeking blessings at various religious sites including Gurudwara Ramgarhia Sabha, Dewal Namghar, Kamalaboria Namghar, Tarajan Masjid, and Borbheta Baptist Church in Jorhat.
Reflecting on his visit, he expressed his aspirations on a micro-blogging website, saying, “I prayed for the peace and prosperity of my state of Assam.”
Transitioning from the Kaliabor seat due to the delimitation process, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha will now contest from the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency, facing off against BJP candidate Topon Kumar Gogoi.
Earlier on March 24, Gogoi kicked off his election campaign in Nazira, accompanied by Debobrat Saikia, the sitting MLA from Nazira and Leader of the Opposition party.
The Congress, fielding Gogoi among 12 candidates in Assam, gears up for a spirited electoral battle.
Simultaneously, Sonowal, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, filed his nomination papers in Dibrugarh on Tuesday.
Addressing a gathering of supporters, Sonowal highlighted the BJP’s commitment to strengthen Prime Minister Modi’s government for the third time in India.
“We have to strengthen Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. With our allies, AGP, and UPPL, we are dedicated towards securing the highest number of seats in Assam, just as we aim to do across every state in India to make Modi the Prime Minister for the third term,” he said.
With the BJP’s nomination of Sonowal in Dibrugarh, the stage is set for a high-stakes contest between Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi and Sonowal.
Earlier, the Congress had ceded the Dibrugarh seat to ally AJP.
