Guwahati: The ruling BJP in Assam on Monday named outgoing Lok Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa as its candidate for coming Rajya Sabha polls, while its coalition partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has nominated ex-Union minister Birendra Prasad Baishya as its candidate for the second seat.
Tasa was officially declared as the BJP’s candidate this evening, while the AGP had named Baishya on Sunday.
Two Rajya Sabha seats in Assam are falling vacant, elections for which is scheduled on June 7 next.
Both the seats are currently held by the Congress, with former PM Dr Manmohan Singh being one of the outgoing MPs and the other being Santiuse Kujir.
Confirming Tasa’s candidature, state BJP president Ranjit Dass said, “We are happy to announce that our central leadership has approved the name of Kamakhya Prasad Tassa as our candidate for the Rajya Sabha.”
AGP president and state minister Atul Bora had on Sunday confirmed Baishya’s candidature.
Tasa is the outgoing MP from Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency of Assam, which was retained by BJP candidate Topon Gogoi in the recently held elections.
Baishya is a former Union minister and had been member of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha from AGP earlier.
The Opposition parties, Congress and All India United Democratic Front, are yet to announce candidates and both the candidates of the ruling alliance is likely to win uncontested.
Out of seven Rajya Sabha seats from Assam, six are currently held by the Congress and one by Bodoland People’s Front, an ally of the ruling dispensation. (UNI)
