Trinamool Congress Announces Candidates for Four Lok Sabha Seats in Assam

The Trinamool Congress declared candidates for four Lok Sabha seats in Assam, despite other anti-BJP parties already having nominees in those constituencies.

In a setback to the opposition unity in Assam, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) announced its candidates for four Lok Sabha seats where other anti-BJP parties have already declared their nominees. The TMC, which is a part of the United Opposition Forum Assam (UOFA), published the candidate list for Kokrajhar ST, Barpeta, Lakhimpur, and Silchar SC seats on its official Twitter handle.

TMC Candidates Announced

The TMC nominated Gauri Sankar Sarania in Kokrajhar, Abul Kalam Azad in Barpeta, Ghana Kanta Chutia in Lakhimpur, and Radhashyam Biswas in Silchar. The party made the announcement under the guidance and inspiration of its Chairperson, Mamata Banerjee.

United Opposition Forum Assam

The TMC is a part of the UOFA, which was formed in the state with 16 parties in line with the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam, the Congress has already announced candidates for 12 seats. It has offered the Dibrugarh seat to its alliance partner, the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), while no decision has been taken yet on the Lakhimpur constituency.

Other Parties' Announcements

The CPIM announced that its MLA Manoranjan Talukdar will contest from the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat, for which the Congress had already declared its candidate. Another UOFA member, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), also announced candidates for three seats in Assam. The CPI too said that it was considering contesting from a few seats in the state.

Ruling NDA's Candidates

From the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the BJP has named 11 candidates, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has nominated two, and the United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL) has declared one candidate. The BJP currently holds nine MPs in the Lok Sabha from Assam, while its allies AGP and UPPL have no representation. The Congress holds three seats, the AIUDF holds one, and there is one Independent candidate.

The announcement of TMC candidates in seats where other opposition parties have already declared their nominees has created a setback to the opposition unity in Assam. It remains to be seen how this will impact the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state.