4 of 5 current defectors from Congress, together with an MP and three MLAs, have discovered their method into the Bharatiya Janata Celebration’s checklist of 88 candidates for the April 9 Meeting election in Assam.
Lacking from the primary checklist, launched by the BJP’s central workplace in New Delhi on Thursday (March 19, 2026), are 19 MLAs, together with Deputy Meeting Speaker Numal Momin (Bokajan constituency), Minister Nandita Garlosa (Haflong), and Phanidhar Talukdar, who defected after successful the 2021 polls from Bhabanipur on an All India United Democratic Entrance ticket.
The BJP rewarded Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who give up Congress two days in the past, with a nomination from the Dispur seat, at the moment held by its five-time MLA Atul Bora. The celebration additionally named former State Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah from the Bihpura constituency.
Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, who received the 2021 polls from Barak Valley’s Karimganj North, is the BJP’s candidate from Katigorah, whereas his counterpart Sashi Kanta Das has been fielded from Raha seat. The latter received this seat for Congress in 2021.
Basanta Das, the third Congress MLA (Mangaldoi), who joined the BJP with them, has been disregarded.
Two extra MLAs, who received the 2021 elections on Congress tickets, are within the checklist of candidates. They’re Sushanta Borgohain and Rupjyoti Kurmi. Whereas Mr. Borgohain, who received from Thowrah in 2021, is contesting Demow seat, Mr. Kurmi is in search of re-election from Mariani. Each seats are in japanese Assam.
Eyeing sixth time period
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is the BJP’s candidate from Jalukbari, one in every of 4 constituencies in Kamrup Metropolitan district, a lot of which is roofed by Guwahati. A notable omission in one of many different three seats — New Guwahati — is former State BJP president Siddhartha Bhattacharya, who performed a key position in bringing Mr. Sarma to the BJP from Congress in 2015.
Many within the BJP, sad with the denial of a ticket to Mr. Bhattacharya, mentioned this was anticipated as the present celebration management has been phasing out the “previous brigade”.
Mr. Bora, among the many older set of leaders, mentioned the checklist was surprising when “everybody knew I’ll get a ticket”. He had earlier mentioned that the “birds, timber, jungles, tigers, bears, canine, cats, cows, and goats” in Dispur had been assured about his re-nomination.
Of the 88 candidates, six are ladies. Barring Minister Ajanta Neog (Golaghat seat), additionally a Congress import, the ladies candidates are new faces. They’re Madhavi Das (Birsing-Jarua), Jyotsna Kalita (Chamaria), Nilima Devi (Mangaldai), Niso Terangpi (Diphu), and Rupali Langthasa (Haflong).
The BJP Ministers in search of re-election are Ranjeet Kumar Dass from Bhowanipur-Sorbhog, Chandra Mohan Patowary from Tihu, Ranoj Pegu from Dhemaji, Ashok Singhal from Dhekiajuli, Pijush Hazarika from Jagiroad, Bimal Bora from Tingkhong, Jayanta Malla Baruah from Nalbari, Prasanta Phukan from Dibrugarh, Kaushik Rai from Lakhipur, Krishnendu Paul from Patharkandi, and Rupesh Gowala from Doomdooma.
Earlier, the Chief Minister mentioned BJP allies Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland Individuals’s Entrance will contest 26 and 11 seats, respectively. The 2 events haven’t but declared their candidates. There isn’t a readability about one seat.
Revealed – March 19, 2026 12:45 pm IST
