Family members of Cong among poll nominees

Guwahati, Mar 19: When it comes to allotting party tickets, Congress is known for its affinity for nominating family members of their leaders and even this time it reflected in the party's list of candidates for the forthcoming Asom Assembly polls.

Sons, daughters, wives and widows of prominent Congress leaders, including wife of a senior Union Cabinet minister have figured in the list of Congress nominees for the forthcoming polls in the state.

There are six sons of Congressmen in the list. Topping the list is Capt Rabin Bardoloi, son of late freedom fighter Gopinath Bardoloi. A sitting MLA, Capt Bardoloi has been shifted by the party to contest from Guwahati (East) instead of Dispur, which he now represents.

Congress leader from Barak Valley, Rahul Roy, son of incumbent Congress minister Gautom Roy is among the Congress poll candidates.

The party high command has in fact given nomination to both the son and father, although they had been interrogated by the CBI in abduction and murder case of an NRI businessman-turned politician.

''There is nothing wrong in party's decision to give poll tickets to them. Although the CBI questioned them in connection with a criminal case, no case is pending against them. They haven't been convicted or charge-sheeted,'' Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

The party has given nomination to Chrisostom Tudu, son of senior minister Mithius Tudu. 22-year-old Rupjyoti Kurmi, son of former Congress minister Late Rupam Kurmi is the youngest Congress nominee. The party has once again selected incumbent state Home Minister Rockybul Hussain, son of former Congress minister Late Nurul Hussain, to contest from Samaguri LAC. It has preferred Mr Javed Islam to his mother and party MLA Mrs Hussainara Begum to contest from Mancachar LAC.

Bithika Deb, wife of Congress leader and Union Cabinet Minister Santosh Mohan Deb will contest election from Silchar, while the party has chosen Nilakshi Talukdar over husband and incumbent party MLA, Hemanta Talukdar to contest from West Guwahati.

Dr Hemoprabha Saikia, widow of former party Chief Minister Late Hiteswar Saikia leads the list of seven widows of Congressmen who have been given party nominations.

Mrs Sharifa Begum, minister of state for transport and daughter of Late Idris Ali, one of the prominent minority leaders in the party will contest the polls from Rupahihat.

The Congress list of candidates has 13 women, 28 members from Muslim community and 16 leaders from the tea tribe community, among others.

The party has given nomination to Chrisostom Tudu, son of senior minister Mithius Tudu. 22-year-old Rupjyoti Kurmi, son of former Congress minister Late Rupam Kurmi is the youngest Congress nominee. The party has once again selected incumbent state Home Minister Rockybul Hussain, son of former Congress minister Late Nurul Hussain, to contest from Samaguri LAC. It has preferred Mr Javed Islam to his mother and party MLA Mrs Hussainara Begum to contest from Mancachar LAC.

Bithika Deb, wife of Congress leader and Union Cabinet Minister Santosh Mohan Deb will contest election from Silchar, while the party has chosen Nilakshi Talukdar over husband and incumbent party MLA, Hemanta Talukdar to contest from West Guwahati.

Dr Hemoprabha Saikia, widow of former party Chief Minister Late Hiteswar Saikia leads the list of seven widows of Congressmen who have been given party nominations.

Mrs Sharifa Begum, minister of state for transport and daughter of Late Idris Ali, one of the prominent minority leaders in the party will contest the polls from Rupahihat.

The Congress list of candidates has 13 women, 28 members from Muslim community and 16 leaders from the tea tribe community, among others.

UNI