Lok Sabha Polls: In Blow To I.N.D.I.A Unity In Assam, CPI(M) Names Candidate From Congress Seat

New Delhi: In a setback for the Congress-led Opposition alliance in Assam, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday declared that its MLA Manoranjan Talukdar would contest from the Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency, where the Congress has already named its candidate, news agency PTI reported.

Addressing a press conference, CPI(M) Assam State Secretary Suprakash Talukdar announced the party’s decision to field veteran leader and legislator Manoranjan Talukdar from the Barpeta seat. Notably, the CPI(M) MLA currently represents the Sorbhog assembly constituency, falling within the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat.

In a bid to consolidate anti-BJP votes, Suprakash Talukdar urged the Congress to withdraw its candidate from Barpeta, emphasising the importance of backing the strongest anti-BJP contender to secure victory.

“For the greater interest of the people, we appeal to Congress to withdraw its candidate from Barpeta. We appeal to everyone to vote for the strongest anti-BJP candidate and make him win”, PTI quoted Talukdar as saying.

The Barpeta seat, currently held by Congress MP Abdul Khaleque, who was denied a ticket this time, sees Deep Bayan as the Congress nominee for the linguistically and religiously sensitive constituency. Bayan serves as the president of Assam Pradesh Congress Seva Dal and holds a senior spokesperson position in APCC.

CPI(M) forms part of the United Opposition Forum Assam (UOFA), which comprises 16 parties aligned with the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A).

Responding to queries about the timing of the Left party’s candidate announcement, the state secretary clarified that despite prior intimations to the Congress regarding CPI(M)’s intent to contest from Barpeta, the grand old party proceeded with its candidate selection independently.

CPI(M)’s nominee Manoranjan Talukdar criticised the Congress’s decision to field a candidate in Barpeta, arguing it would inadvertently benefit the BJP-led ruling alliance and undermine Opposition unity.

“If Congress fights in 13 out 14 seats in Assam, where is the Opposition unity? They are not the only party. It cannot be a unilateral decision,” PTI quoted Manoranjan Talukdar as saying.

In defence of the Congress’s candidate selection, party leader Gaurav Gogoi expressed confidence in Bayan’s candidacy, citing the party’s inclusive approach in recognising and promoting the contributions of various stakeholders.

“I have never seen a Seva Dal worker fighting elections and winning. But Congress is the only party which recognises the contributions of all stakeholders and promotes them too,” PTI quoted Gogoi as saying.

Meanwhile, another UOFA member, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has already announced candidates for three seats in Assam. The Communist Party of India (CPI) also hinted at potential contests in several constituencies.

From the ruling coalition, BJP’s ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) nominated senior leader and former minister Phani Bhusan Choudhury, currently representing Bongaigaon, as its candidate for the Barpeta.

Out of Assam’s 14 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress has named candidates for 12, reserving the Dibrugarh seat for alliance partner Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), with the decision pending for the Lakhimpur constituency.