STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: During the second-phase Assembly polls, Udalguri LAC (Legislative Assembly Constituency) is presenting a political picture of a different type on two main aspects as compared to many other constituencies. Polls will be held across 231 polling booths here on April 1. Of the 1,58,313 electorates in this LAC, there are 79, 181 males, 79,131 females, and one transgender voter.
First, the LAC is having the lowest number of only two candidates. Second, the electorates are witnessing positive campaigning.
During this Assembly election, Minister Rihon Daimari from the BPF (Bodoland People's Front) is contesting against the Dy CEM (Deputy Chief Executive Member) of BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) Gobinda Chandra Basumatari of the UPPL (United People's Party Liberal). Basumatari was also the president of NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland) – which is now disbanded following the signing of the BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region) Accord. He also won the BTC polls from Bhairabkunda Constituency in December 2020.
Talking about Gobinda Basumatari, Rihon Daimari told The Sentinel, "He is elder to me. I respect him. I am campaigning on a positive note. I feel that I will win. I shall respect the mandate of the masses."
On the issues being faced by the people in Udalguri, he said, "The interior areas of Udalguri lack proper road infrastructure. Besides, some areas do not have safe drinking water. My agenda is also to sort out various land-related issues in the entire Udalguri LAC. Moreover, I am looking forward to develop infrastructure issues including the drainage system of Udalguri Town."
Mentionably during the 2016 Assembly polls, Rihon Daimari defeated Independent candidate Anjali Prabha Daimari by a margin of 24, 374 votes. While Rihon Daimari polled 45,037 votes, Anjali Prabha Daimari got 20,663 votes.
When asked on the bipolar contest, Deputy CEM of BTC Gobinda Chandra Basumatari said, "Both of us are campaigning with our respective ideological stands. We are not involved in any personal blame game. Of course, the issues of the masses are my concern."
He added, "My agenda for the Assembly election includes implementation of the BTR Accord, providing safe drinking water to the people, bringing about faster development of Udalguri LAC, and preservation of communal harmony among the various communities in the BTR."
He further said, "I feel that the masses will continue their support to me, and cast their votes in my favour.
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