BJP releases list for 42 seats

NEW DELHI, April 18: The BJP today announced its candidates for 42 seats out of its share of 44 seats, fielding candidates in all the 10 seats earmarked for friendly contest with the ruling AGP. The list of candidates, however, held no major surprises and the party has nominated all its five sitting MLAs. Prominent among those fielded by BJP included reputed foot ball player Rebati Phukan, who will contest from Lahowal LAC. Others included former Janata Dal president, Dulal Baruah being fielded from Teok LAC, where he will be pitted in a friendly contest with APG's Renupama Rajkhowa. The BJP has fielded Manoj Ram Phukan from Guwahati (West), where AGP has nominated its sitting MLA, Ramendra Naryana Kalita. From Tinsukia LAC, the former Congress Minister, Sheo Shambhu Ojha would be contesting. The BJP has however fielded only one woman candidates. Reena Singh, who is a State executive member has been fielded from Lakhipur LAC. Meanwhile, BJP has withheld the names of candidates for two constituencies including Mazbat and Sonari. "We have asked the State unit to furnish more background material on the candidates" said BJP secretary, Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, the BJP State unit president, Rajen Gohain said they have to try to make the best of the present situation. He indicated that the BJP hopes to win about 27 seats out of the 44 seats allotted to them. Meanwhile, BJP national secretary said the AGP-BJP alliance's main thrust would be to high-light Congress Party's misrule and hold its responsible for the present plight of Assam. "We will not allow Assam to become another Jammu and Kashmir," Modi said. "It is the Congress party which is responsible for the present mess in Assam," he charged. Modi clearly indicated that the BJP was all set to make the foreigners issue its main election plank. The party candidates are Ratabari (SC) - Sambhu Singh Mallah, Patharkandi - Sukehndu Sekhar Dutta, Karimganj-North - Mission Ranjan Das, Badarpur - Dipak Deb, Katlicharra - Pratul Deb, Dholai (SC) - Parimal Sukhlabaidya, Silchar - Bimalangshu Roy, Katighara - Kali Ranjan Deb, Barkhola - Trollokhya Bhusan Nath, Udharband - Jayaprakash Tiwari, Lakhipur - Reena Singh, Hojai - RP Saha, Lumding - Sushil Dutta, Golakganj - Dinesh Chandra Sakar, Dhubri - Dhruba Kumar Sen, Dibrugarh - Jayanta Dutta, Jalukbari - Ramendra Nath Deka, Behali - Ranjit Dutta, Moriani - Binod Kumar Gogoi, Duliajan - Rameswar Teli, Sivasagar - Jayant Rajkonwar, Lahowal - Rebati Phukan, Digboi - Bhaben Sarmah, Nazira - Dilip Hazarika, Tinsukia - Sheo Shambhu Ojha, Barkhetri - Dhruba Prasad Baishya, Laharighat - Oliulla Mh. Waliulla, Dhakuakhana (ST) - Deben Pegu, Barchala - Ranjit Kumar Neog, Rangapara - Rishi Upadhayaya, Margherita - Debajeet Baruah, Marigaon - Bapuram Kalita, Sorbhog - Anilananda Pathak, Raha- Umesh Das, Gauahti-West - Manoj Ram Phukan, Palasbari - Dinesh Choudhury, Hajo - Abani Mohan Kalita, Teok - Dulal Chandra Barua, Nawbaisha - Pradip Sarmah, Batadraba - Khagen Bardoloi, Jonai - Makhan Kaman Kuli, Bokakhat - Mohan Lal Jalan.