A CORRESPONDENT
DOOMDOOMA: In a significant development, Asam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) general secretary and former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) general secretary and spokesperson, Tea Cell, Rupesh Goala joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday.
Though the candidature of Doomdooma LAC was yet to be formally declared by both the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Indian National Congress (INC)-led Grand Alliance, yet the rift in both the parties surfaced over the nomination of Doomdooma LAC. While in all likelihood sitting MLA Durga Bhumij is the probable candidate of the INC-led Grand Alliance, Rupesh Goala prepared his ground to join the BJP and contest from Doomdooma LAC by resigning from all the portfolios of the INC about a month back.
Although the BJP is yet to make a formal declaration in this regard, it is just a matter of time now. On the other hand, the decision of the BJP district president Lakheswar Moran to contest as an independent candidate definitely gave a jerk to the ruling party. Again, uncertainty prevails following denial of ticket to two very promising youth leaders of the party - Arunjyoti Moran and Pulak Gohain. Arunjyoti Moran, former president of All Moran Students' Union (AMSU), newly joined the party, reportedly on an understanding that he would be given a party ticket for Digboi constituency. Similarly, Pulak Gohain, who represents Muttack community, was an aspirant for Tinsukia constituency. Both are energetic youth leaders. It will therefore, be quite interesting to see the political developments as the election process gains steam.
In Doomdooma also the contest will be high voltage as both the candidates -one Rupesh Goala and another probable candidate Durga Bhumij - both belong to the tea-tribes community. While Rupesh Goala has direct control over ACMS as its general secretary (he has not resigned from the organization till now), it will be interesting to see in which direction the voters swing.
On the other hand, if BJP president Lakheswar Moran finally appears in the scenario as an independent candidate, in all probability it will then be a triangular contest as the Moran community has sufficient voters in the constituency.