The nomination papers of three Congress candidates, including one contesting from a key constituency where Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is in the fray, were rejected during scrutiny on Tuesday, according to the Election Commission of India.
As per official updates, a total of 18 nomination papers had been rejected till 4:30 pm on Tuesday, though the scrutiny process is still ongoing.
Among those whose nominations were rejected are Congress candidates Ananda Narah from Dhakuakhana, Nirmal Langthasa from Haflong, and Bidisha Neog from Jalukbari—the latter being a significant seat where Chief Minister Sarma is contesting.
The Dhakuakhana constituency is currently represented by BJP leader and former minister Naba Kumar Doley. In Haflong, an interesting political development saw BJP cabinet minister Nandita Garlosa switch sides to the Congress on Sunday night. Her nomination as a Congress candidate from the seat has been accepted after she filed her papers the following day.
The reasons for the rejection of the three Congress nominations have not yet been disclosed on the ECI’s official website.
Apart from these, nominations of several other candidates have also been rejected. This includes three candidates each from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Voters Party International, one each from SUCI (Communist) and Apni Janta Party, along with eight Independent candidates.
Overall, 1,389 nomination papers were filed by over 800 candidates for the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly. Many candidates submitted multiple sets of nomination papers.
Polling for the assembly elections is scheduled for April 9, while counting of votes will take place on May 4. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 26.
The scrutiny process continues, and further updates are expected as the Election Commission finalises the list of valid candidates.
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