showing victory sign during a press
conference in Guwahati on Monday. (PTI)
Guwahati: The ruling Congress in Assam on Monday received a shot in the arms before the Assembly election by winning both the Rajya Sabha seats, election to which was held on Monday.
Congress candidates Ripun Bora, a former cabinet minister and Rani Narah, a former Lok Sabha MP emerged winner while the opposition Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) supported Independent candidate Mahabir Jain failed to poll even a single vote after BPF withdrew support to him in the 11th hour alleging that Jain was trying to woo a section of Congress MLAs.
The ruling Congress has 68 MLAs in the House, but its two candidates polled 85 votes in total much to the joy of the Congress camp as it became evident that MLAs from some opposition political parties two voted for its candidates.An overjoyed Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Anjan Dutta stated that the convincing victory of party’s candidates in Rajya Sabha polls would go a long way in boosting the morale of party workers before the Assembly polls that is knocking at the doors.
“The victory in Rajya Sabha election is just a prelude to our victory in the next Assembly election. It has made us more confident to win the state polls that is being held next months,” senior Congress leader Rakibul Hussain said.
It may be mentioned that BJP and AGP had decided to abstain from voting in Rajya Sabha polls on Monday while only a section of the All Indian United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLAs participated in the polls.
AGP as on date has only seven MLAs in the House while the BJP has only five MLAs.