Guwahati: The ruling Congress is facing stiff criticism from various quarters for fielding Sanjay Singh, a Lok Sabha member from UP, for Rajya Sabha from Assam.
The move to field Mr Singh apparently even made so-far divided Opposition to unite and put its joint candidate in fray, which could prove to be a spoiler for the Congress’ ambition to get its candidates elected in all the three seats up for election, including its ally BPF nominee.
Defending the decision, Assam CM Tarun Gogoi said, ‘Congress is an all-India party. We can project candidates from any state. Workers from our state have also got responsibilities in other states as well as at the national level.’
He was flanked by Singh as the two interacted with the media after the latter filed his nomination before the returning officer at the Assam Legislative Assembly here.
Gogoi, visibly upset with uncomfortable questions from the reporters, retorted hotly when asked if Assam is still considered a ‘dumping ground’ for the Congress and his acceptance of Mr Singh’s candidature was a move to appease the Gandhis and ensure Lok Sabha ticket for his son, Gaurav Gogoi.
‘Do not stoop to such (low) levels. Do not drag my son into this,’ he said.
Mr Gogoi maintained that Mr Singh’s nomination will be beneficial for the state as he enjoys ‘close relations’ with ‘Congress high command’.
‘Sanjay Singh has been a friend for 40 years. I am proud to be by his side,’ the CM added.
Singh, who currently represents Sultanpur (UP) in the Lok Sabha and often dubbed the ‘king of Amethi’, said he will work for the welfare of Assam.
He had arrived here last evening to file nomination today, the last date for doing so.
The Congress’ decision to field Singh from Assam is being interpreted as a measure to ‘appease’ him after he was reportedly making moves to join the BJP and take on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at Amethi in the forthcoming General Elections.
He has a history of defecting from the Congress and had also contested against Rajiv Gandhi, though both were known to be close friends.
The decision of Singh’s candidature also brought back memories of how PM Manmohan Singh was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the state in 1990 for the first time under the active support of then-CM late Hiteswar Saikia, a seat Dr Singh has since retained.
Meanwhile, the Congress’ decision on Singh prompted the Opposition parties to unite for the Rajya Sabha polls in the state.
The BJP, which had initially decided to stay away from voting, today decided to back the common non-political candidate of the Opposition.
Noted journalist Haidar Hussain emerged as the joint candidate of the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).
The Opposition parties claimed that their efforts to field a joint candidate received impetus by the Congress’ decision to field an ‘outsider’.
With 32 MLAs in their kitty between AIUDF(18), AGP(9) and BJP(5), the Opposition candidate looks set to grab one of the three seats up for election, if there is no cross-voting or absence.
Besides Singh and Hussain, Congress Pradesh chief Bhubaneswar Kalita and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), the Congress’ ally at Dispur, candidate Biswajit Daimary are in the fray. The elections are slated for February 7 and results will be declared the same day. (UNI)
