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Assam Polls: BJP Confident of Snatching Congress Bastion Nazira from Debabrata Saikia

Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita has expressed confidence that the BJP will win the Nazira Assembly seat from Congress leader Debabrata Saikia in the upcoming Assam polls. He claims the ground mood has shifted in favour of the ruling party, with voters seeking development. Nazira has been a Congress stronghold, with Saikia winning it comfortably in both 2016 and 2021. Despite his legacy as the son of former Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia, the BJP believes anti-incumbency and its development narrative will lead to a change.

Key Points: BJP Eyes Nazira Seat in Assam, Claims Congress's Saikia Set to Lose

  • BJP confident of winning Congress bastion
  • Voter mood shifting towards development
  • Nazira a traditional Congress stronghold
  • Saikia is son of ex-CM Hiteswar Saikia
  • Keen contest expected on April 9
2 min read

Assam polls: Debabrata Saikia set to lose bastion, claims MoS Pabitra Margherita

Union MoS Pabitra Margherita claims BJP will win Nazira from Congress's Debabrata Saikia in Assam polls, citing pro-development voter mood.

"The people of Nazira now want to be with the government. They are looking forward to development and progress, and this time they will vote for change. - Pabitra Margherita"

Guwahati, April 2

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on Thursday expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party will wrest the Nazira Assembly seat in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, asserting that Congress leader Debabrata Saikia is set to lose this time.

Campaigning for BJP candidate Mayur Borgohain in Nazira, Margherita claimed that the mood on the ground has shifted in favour of the ruling party.

He said voters in the constituency are keen to align with the government to accelerate development and ensure better opportunities.

"The people of Nazira now want to be with the government. They are looking forward to development and progress, and this time they will vote for change," Margherita said, adding that the BJP is receiving strong support across the constituency.

Nazira has traditionally been a Congress bastion.

In the 2016 Assembly elections, senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia retained the seat with a comfortable margin, even as the BJP came to power in the state.

He repeated his victory in the 2021 polls, once again defeating BJP rivals and consolidating his position as a key Congress figure in Upper Assam.

Debabrata Saikia, a prominent Congress leader in Assam, currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly.

Known for his organisational strength and grassroots connect, Saikia has been instrumental in keeping the Congress relevant in Upper Assam despite the BJP's growing dominance in the region.

He also carries forward a significant political legacy as the son of former Assam Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia.

The late leader was a towering figure in Assam politics, serving multiple terms as Chief Minister and playing a crucial role in shaping the state's political landscape during a turbulent period.

Despite this legacy and past electoral success, the BJP believes anti-incumbency and a strong development narrative could tilt the balance in its favour in Nazira this time, setting the stage for a keen contest in the April 9 polls.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Debabrata Saikia has a strong grassroots connection and his father's legacy is respected. One minister's claim doesn't mean much. Congress has held this seat for so long because they understand local issues. Let's see what happens on April 9th! 🤔
R
Rohit P
As someone from Upper Assam, I can say the mood *is* changing. The BJP government has delivered on several promises here - better infrastructure, peace. Anti-incumbency against the sitting MLA is real. Voters are looking for performance, not just a famous surname.
M
Michael C
Interesting to watch. It's a classic battle between a strong local incumbent and the national ruling party's momentum. Margherita's confidence suggests the BJP's internal surveys are positive. But never underestimate the power of a well-established local leader.
S
Shreya B
Respectfully, I think the BJP minister is overconfident. Winning a bastion is not so easy. Saikia is the LoP for a reason. His work during the floods last year was commendable. People remember these things. This will be a tight fight, not a walkover.
K
Karthik V
The development narrative is powerful, but so is anti-incumbency against the *state* government. Prices of essentials are pinching everyone. This cut-throat competition is good for democracy though. May the best candidate win! 🙏

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