Himanta Biswa Sarma's name dropped from list of probable candidates For Lok Sabha polls: Assam BJP President

GUWAHATI: In a u turn, Assam unit BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass on Monday said that finance minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma will not make a parliamentary poll debut for his name is dropped from the list of probable candidates.

Dass on Monday said, “Central leaders including our president Amit Shah informed us that as Sarma is also the convener of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), he has to look after all the 25 parliamentary seats across the region, Sarma cannot remain confined to a particular seat if he contests the polls".

Sarma’s candidature was mooted for Tezpur seat. Dass said party General Secretary, Ram Madhav conveyed to him that Sarma should contest Lok Sabha seat.


On March 15, Dass said BJP’s leadership has mulled that Sarma must contest parliamentary polls. “However we have suggested he must contest from Assam.”

Dass said, “Sarma is the star campaigner of BJP in Northeast. The responsibility on his shoulders is immense. So, it will help BJP’s prospect if Sarma do not contest the parliamentary election.”

On Saturday, sitting MP from Tezpur Ram Prasad Sarmah left BJP as a mark of protest for not sending his name in the panel of names.

Sarma who claims to backing from Gorkha community on Monday said that he might reconsider his decision and will contest if party gives him ticket.

He said, “I have made it clear that I belong to the RSS and I am syamsevak in heart and blood. I have an ideological commitment. I will not join any other political party. I will definitely reconsider my decision if I am offered the ticket to contest from Tezpur seat.”