Guwahati: Paid holiday has been announced by the Assam Government on March 7 for the by-elections in the Majuli (Scheduled Tribe) constituency.
The paid holiday allowed for factories, gardens (including tea gardens), shops and commercial establishments, places of public entertainment or entertainment, contractors’ establishments, firms, industries, workshops, banks, commercial and commercial establishments.
As per an official notification, the holiday has been announced so that all voters can exercise their franchise in the by-elections to be held on that day.
Three candidates are in the fray – Bhuban Gam of the ruling BJP, Chittaranjan Basumatary of the opposition AJP and Bhati Richong of SUCI(C).
The Congress had decided not to run in the elections in order to unite anti-BJP forces, instead leaving the seat to the AJP.
Following the departure of Union Shipping, Ports and Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal, who was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha on September 27, an election to the constituency was required.
The former chief minister was elected to the state legislature twice in 2016 and 2021, representing the Majuli constituency, and it was during his tenure that the world’s largest river island was promoted to a district.