Dhekiajuli Assembly Election: A Battle Between BJP and Congress
Overview of the Dhekiajuli Assembly Election
A file image of Supporters of arch-rivals Congress and the BJP during nomination filing in Guwahati . (AT Photo)
TEZPUR, April 2: The upcoming Assembly election in the Dhekiajuli LAC is shaping up to be a direct contest between the BJP and Congress. However, candidates from the Voters Party International (VPI) and several Independents, including Ladilach Induwar, Anchuma Basumatary, Tarkius Topno, and Samsul Haque, may also sway some voters in their favor.
Seven candidates are competing for this seat. Notably, the Dhekiajuli LAC has been represented by BJP MLA and Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal for the past two terms, establishing a strong rapport with voters across various communities within the constituency.
Following the recent delimitation, the constituency now comprises 70,000 Bodo voters, 47,000 Adivasi voters, 23,000 Assamese linguistic voters, 22,000 Bengali voters, 13,000 Nepali voters, 5,100 Bihari voters, and 634 voters from other backgrounds. The Bodo and Adivasi communities have historically played a crucial role in determining election outcomes in both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
It is noteworthy that the northern region of this constituency, once plagued by insurgency, has transformed into a peaceful area post the 2020 BTR accord. Ashok Singhal has been instrumental in facilitating this accord, which has helped him maintain a strong connection with the Bodo community. Current reports suggest that despite various discussions, a significant portion of the electorate is likely to support Singhal.
On the other hand, Congress candidate Batash Orang, who previously supported Ashok Singhal, has left the BJP and is now a formidable challenger. As a committed social worker with a robust network among diverse communities, particularly the Adivasis, Orang is expected to attract a considerable number of Adivasi votes. This situation poses a challenge for Singhal, as Orang is receiving backing from various Adivasi organizations and constituents advocating for a local representative who can address their concerns effectively.
Additionally, the Congress faction in Dhekiajuli, which had been fragmented due to the absence of consensus candidates, has now united to mount a strong electoral campaign. The outcome of this election remains uncertain, and only time will reveal which candidate will emerge victorious.