Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah resigns from president post of Assam Sonmilita Morcha

Guwahati (Assam) [India], October 23 (ANI): Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Kumar Borah, who also served as the President of the Opposition political parties united forum ‘Assam Sonmilita Morcha’ tendered his resignation from the president post of Assam Sonmilita Morcha.

“As you are aware a meeting of Asom Sanmilita Morcha was held on 18th Oct, in the presence of AICC General Secretary and Secretary I/C Assam at Guwahati. In the meeting, a proposal was put forward by the G.S., AICC to constitute a 5 Member committee and he assured that the recommendation of the committee will be accepted by the AICC regarding the nomination for Behali LAC bye-election, where the CPI(ML) had demanded the candidature. However, till now the recommendation of the 5-member committee has not been accepted by the Hon’ble AICC, I/C, G.S,” Borah stated in the letter written on Tuesday.

He further said that he has been trying to persuade the 5 member committee to reconsider its recommendation, but they have refused to do so.

“Today the opposition unity called a meeting and asked APCC to clarify by tomorrow 10 AM regarding Behali LAC. I have been trying to persuade the 5 member committee to reconsider its recommendation, but they have refused to do so and are demanding immediate confirmation from AICC. Under the tremendous pressure on me to make the decision enforced, which I am not able to execute, I have no alternative other than tendering my resignation as President of the opposition unity in Assam,” he added.

“Please note that opposition unity was stressed upon by Rahul Ji during his Yatra in Assam and at the Northeast Congress Coordination Committee meeting at Meghalaya,” Borah said.

Assam Sonmilita Morcha demanded to field a candidate for the bye-election in the Behali Assembly constituency from outside Congress. Bhupen Kumar Borah on Tuesday sent his resignation letter to the General Secretary of Assam Sonmilita Morcha.

Earlier on Tuesday, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) an ally of the Bharatiya Janta Party-led Assam government on Monday named Lok Sabha MP Phani Bhushan Choudhury’s wife Diptimoyee Choudhury as the party candidate for the Bongaigaon seat for Assam by-election.

Despite opposition from section of party leaders and workers, the AGP fielded Diptimoyee Choudhury as the party candidate for the seat.

Another BJP ally United People’s Party Liberal has fielded Nirmal Kumar Brahma as its party candidate for the by-election in the Sidli seat.

The Bharatiya Janta Party has named its candidates for Behali, Dholai and Samaguri seats. In Behali, BJP had named Diganta Ghatowar as their party candidate while Diplu Ranjan Sarma will contest from Samaguri and Nihar Ranjan Das from Dholai.

On the other hand, the opposition party Congress has also announced its candidates for Sidli, Bongaigaon, Samaguri and Dholai seats.

Tanzil Hussain, who is the son of former Assam Minister and Lok Sabha MP Rakibul Hussain will contest as the Congress candidate from the Samaguri seat whereas Dhrubajyoti Purakayastha will contest from the Dholai seat.

Additionally, Congress has put up Sanjib Warle from the Sidli seat and Brajenjit Sinha from the Bongaigaon seat.

The seats Behali, Dhalai, Bogaigaon, Sidli and Samaguri, fell vacant after the MLAs representing the constituencies were elected to the Lok Sabha.

The polling is set for November 13, with results to be counted on November 23.