In a significant political move ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies will put up candidates for all three seats from the state that are set to become vacant in April. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the alliance is poised to secure victory on two of these seats, while the outcome on the third remains a contest.
BJP's Full Slate for Upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections
The three Rajya Sabha seats currently held by BJP MPs Bhubaneswar Kalita and Rameswar Teli, along with Independent MP Ajit Bhuyan, will fall vacant in April, triggering a crucial electoral battle. CM Sarma, a key strategist for the BJP in the Northeast, outlined the party's plan to contest for each vacancy, marking a shift from its previous approach.
Shift in Stance on Independent MP Ajit Bhuyan
Chief Minister Sarma recalled that during the last election cycle, the BJP had chosen not to contest against Independent candidate Ajit Bhuyan. This decision was based on the belief that Bhuyan was a neutral figure who would work for the greater good. However, Sarma indicated a stark change in perception this time around.
"What he did with his Rajya Sabha MP funds we all know," Sarma stated, directly referencing long-standing corruption allegations surrounding the utilisation of the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds allocated to Bhuyan. This remark underscores the BJP's rationale for now challenging the incumbent Independent MP.
Confident Predictions and Political Calculus
While laying out the party's ambitious plan, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma provided a measured prediction about the results. He asserted that the BJP-led alliance is certain to win two of the three Rajya Sabha seats. Regarding the third seat, he adopted a more cautious tone, remarking, "we may win or lose."
This electoral strategy highlights the BJP's aim to consolidate its representation from Assam in the Upper House of Parliament. The announcement sets the stage for a keenly watched political contest in April, with the ruling alliance seeking to maximize its gains and the opposition gearing up to put up a fight.
