From Our Special Correspondent
GUWAHATI: The central committee of the Conrad Sangma-led National People’s Party (NPP) announced the first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Assam on Thursday.
Launched here on March 6, the Assam unit of NPP is looking at fielding candidates from all the 14 parliamentary seats in the three-phase elections in the state next month.
“Five candidates – Nazia Yasmin Mazumdar (2 Silchar parliamentary constituency), Ram Bahadur Sunar (9 Tezpur), Abdul Aziz (11 Kaliabor), Kamala Rajkonwar (12 Jorhat) and Bhaben Baruah (13 Dibrugarh) have been selected in the first list for the ensuing election to the 17th Lok Sabha in Assam. The names of the other candidates will be announced subsequently,” NPP state convenor, Dilip Borah told reporters here on Thursday.
Among the five selected by the party, one is a former minister and two-time MLA, Bhaben Baruah, while another, Abdul Aziz is a former MLA. Both were earlier with Asom Gana Parishad.
Another candidate, Ram Bahadur Sunar who was earlier with Congress joined NPP here on Thursday.
NPP is currently strengthening its membership and connecting with voters with just about three weeks left for the general elections. Assam goes the polls on April 11, 18 and 23.
“We are contesting alone and therefore not looking at any pre-poll alliance. However, post poll, we will see how things shape up,” Borah said.
The party’s poll agenda comprises among others of a “United Northeast”, federalism, Look East Policy implementation, connectivity and infrastructure upgrade. Besides, opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Bill will be a major election issue for the party in Assam.
NPP is looking to expand its base in the region. The party received a major boost after two ministers, six MLAs apart from several other prominent leaders of the BJP in Arunachal Pradesh, joined its fold on Tuesday ahead of the Assembly elections in that state.
“We are getting hints about a similar trend here in Assam.
Members of other parties are showing willingness to join NPP. However, a clear picture will emerge in a day or two,” he said.