Guwahati: In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming by-elections in Assam, the Congress has appointed Manoj Chauhan, All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary, as the new party co-in charge of the state.
The by-polls in the five assembly seats of Assam will be held on November 13.
In addition to Chauhan’s appointment, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the nomination of six candidates for the by-elections in Assam and Madhya Pradesh.
Four candidates have been nominated from Assam namely Dhrubajyoti Purakayastha for the Dholai constituency, Sanjib Warle for Sidli, Brajenjit Sinha for Bongaigaon, and Tanzil Hussain for Samaguri. Two candidates have been fielded in Madhya Pradesh.
Chauhan, who previously served as the co-incharge of Haryana during the recently-held Assembly elections will now take on responsibilities in Assam.
Originally from Sidhi district in Madhya Pradesh, Chauhan rose to prominence after being identified by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a talent search initiative aimed at nurturing young leadership.
Chauhan’s election management experience in Haryana is expected to strengthen the party’s organizational capabilities in Assam as it prepares for the electoral battle.
The by-elections are viewed as a crucial opportunity for the Congress to strengthen its position in Assam.
His appointment reflects the Congress party’s strategy of engaging dynamic and emerging leaders in crucial roles to strengthen the party.
The by-polls were necessitated in five constituencies in Assam as the sitting MLAs were elected as MPs in the Lok Sabha elections.
These include Congress MLA Rakibul Hussain from Samaguri, BJP MLA Ranjit Dutta from Bihali, BJP MLA Parimal Suklabaidya from Dhalai, AGP MLA from Bongaigaon Phanibhushan Choudhury and UPPL’s Joyanta Basumatary from Sidli (ST).
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As per reports, over 9 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in the by-polls for the five Assembly constituencies on November 13. Of the 9,10,665 registered voters, 4,55,924 are women and 4,54,722 are men.
