Guwahati: As the last date of filing the nominations for three vacant seats of Rajya Sabha in Assam draws near, the political game over the nominations has gained momentum, with all the parties giving conflicting signals making the battle for Upper House an interesting one in the state.
The last date for filing nominations is January 28 while scrutiny will take place the following day and the last date for withdrawal is January 31.
Polling, if necessary, will be held February 7 and counting will be taken up the same day with the entire election process due to be completed by February 10. Ruling Congress has already announced one candidate for the Rajya Sabha –Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president, Bhubaneswar Kalita, while the party is still undecided on the selection of second candidate.
The principal opposition party AIDUF is keeping everyone guessing and said that it will announce its candidate at the last moment. While Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has indicated that the party will support a non-political candidate.
However, the compulsion before the State Congress leadership is that in order to make its two candidates sail through it needs 43 seats each. However, in the 126-member assembly, the party has only 79 MLAs. It needs the support of another seven MLAs to ensure both its candidates win.
With its alliance partner Bodo Peoples Front deciding to re-nominate its seating Rajya Sabha member of parliament Biswajit Daimary the problem has compounded for the ruling party.
AUDF on the other hand with 18 MLAs needs support of AGP and other parties if by any chance it is to push its candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls. It is unlikely that AGP will support AIUDF candidate.
However, the compulsion before the State Congress leadership is also to satisfy the tea tribe and minority community, both of which have voted for the party in the last Parliamentary election.
Another leader, who is a senior MP from the State, countered this argument by asserting that the Congress Party should take advantage of the confusion in the Opposition rank and file two candidates.
The Opposition AGP, BJP and AUDF are yet to work out a strategy amidst the tug of war between AGP and BJP over fielding candidates.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister is likely to meet AICC president over the weekend and finalise the candidate. The meeting is slated to be attended by general secretary in-charge for Assam, c P Joshi, political secretary to Sonia Gandhi, Ahmed Patel, Kalita amongst others.