Guwahati, 18th March: More than 75 influential personalities from Assam have penned a letter appealing to the Congress to reconsider its decision to contest the Barpeta constituency in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Instead, they have urged the party to throw its support behind the nominee from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)).
Addressed to the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Bhupen Kumar Borah, the letter, also copied to the All India Congress Committee (AICC), was signed by leading intellectuals, educationists, and cultural figures of the state. The missive, shared with the media, emphasizes the necessity for unity among anti-BJP secular political parties and stresses the importance of isolating the BJP and its allies to safeguard the rights and interests of the people of Assam.
“At this critical juncture, we appeal to you to reconsider the decision for fielding the Congress candidate in Barpeta Parliamentary constituency and withdraw the candidature of your party’s nominee in favour of the CPI(M),” the letter states.
The United Opposition Forum, Assam, comprising both the Congress and CPI(M), was formed with the objective of defeating the BJP-led ruling alliance. However, despite initial intentions to field joint candidates against the ruling allies, instances of opposition members contesting against each other in various constituencies, including Barpeta, have emerged.
While the Congress has nominated Deep Bayan, the state Seva Dal chief, as its candidate from Barpeta, the CPI(M) has put forward Manoranjan Talukdar, its lone MLA in the state assembly, for the seat. Phani Bhusan Talukdar from the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is the candidate of the ruling alliance. The sitting MP from Barpeta, Abdul Khaleque, recently resigned from the Congress after being denied a ticket.
The signatories, including prominent figures such as Hiren Gohain, Udayaditya Bharali, and Chandra Mohan Sarma, stress the critical need for unity and cooperation among opposition parties to effectively challenge the BJP in the upcoming elections.
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