High-voltage nominations for 3rd phase of poll end

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The high-voltage submission of nominations for the third and final phase of the State Assembly poll concluded on Friday. A few heavyweights, including Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for Jalukbari and AGP Minister Phani Bhushan Choudhury for Bongaigaon, were among those who filed their nominations on Friday.

As many as 40 LACs in 12 districts in lower Assam, including Kamrup (M), are going to poll in this phase on April 6, 2021.

Huge political rallies were taken out in many areas by candidates while submitting their nominations. In Guwahati, Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took out a mammoth rally from Sonaram HS School playground while filing his nomination papers. The air from the playground to the Office of the Kamrup (M) Deputy Commissioner was rent with slogans by BJP-AGP workers and supporters.

Talking to the media, Minister Sarma said, "The BJP-led alliance is fighting for the protection of civilization and culture, besides development of the State. And our win in this battle is certain. Our alliance will form the next government at Dispur.

"In 1996 Assembly poll, I was defeated by a slim margin. In 2001, I won by a margin of 12,000 votes, by 42,000 votes in 2006, by 68,000 votes in 2011 and by 84,000 votes in 2016. This time, I feel the margin of my win will be between 1.20 lakh and 1.50 lakh votes. This is because I've the blessings of the people of Jalukbai. They're at my heart.

"I've a few dreams attached to Jalukbari. And some of them are – completion of the ongoing Guwahati-North Guwahati bridge over the Brahmaputra, completion of the four-lane flyover at Maligaon, completion of the alternative road to Kamakhya Temple, completion of the AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) project, etc soon. A new bridge over the Brahmaputra connecting Sualkuchi and Palasbari is also a dream project. My ultimate dream is to make Jalukbari the best LAC in the country. I'm grateful to the people of Jalukbari and all those who came from different areas of the State to bless me today."

The Minister prayed at Doul Govinda and Kamakhya temples before filing his nominations.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, MP and BJP's all India general secretary Dilip Saikia, among others, accompanied Sarma while filing nominations.

Talking to the media, Sonowal said, "Our 100+ goal is very much on target. It's quite achievable for us."

AGP president Atul Bora and working president Keshab Mahanta also wished Sarma good luck.

A few other candidates, including Suman Haripriya of the BJP for Hajo, Congress candidate Rekibuddin Ahmed for Chaygaon, Meera Barthakur of the Congress for Gauhati West, Adip Kumar Phukan of the AJP (Assam Jatiya Parishad) for Guwahati East, Prince Faizul Haque of the AJP for Dispur, Kalpana Patowary of the AGP for Sorukhetri, Manjit Mahanta of the Congress for Dispur and Ashima Bordoloi of the Congress for Guwahati East filed their nominations on Friday.

Manjit Mahanta is the working president of AGM (Anchalik Gana Mancha). The Congress-led grand alliance gave the Dispur seat to the AGM, and Manjit Mahanta is contesting on a Congress ticket.

Meanwhile, Minister Phani Bhushan Choudhury of the AGP took out a massive rally in Bongaigaon with thousands of supporters on Friday while filing his nominations. Talking to the media, Choudhury said, "My win is certain, so is the win for our alliance. We'll form the next government."

Choudhury has been winning the Bongaigaon seat in a row since 1985.

All nominations for the third phase of poll will be scrutinized on Saturday. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 22, 2021.

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