Assam Poll 2021 Phase 2 Voting: 4 Assam Ministers Including Environment Minister Parimal Suklabaidya to Contest in Phase 2

1. Dholai Constituency: Key Candidate – Parimal Suklabaidya (BJP), Assam Minister of Fishery, Excise, Environment & Forest

Assam Minister of Fishery, Excise, Environment and Forest, Parimal Suklabaidya is contesting for the 15th Assam Assembly elections 2021 from the Dholai seat for the seventh time on a BJP ticket.

He won the Assam Assembly elections four times in -- 1991, 2001, 2006, and 2016. He lost twice in 1996 and 2011. In 1991, 2001, and 2006 Assam Elections, he defeated Kamakhya Prasad Mala by 16,312, 3354, and 12,990 votes (In 1991, Mala contested as an AGP candidate. In 2001 and 2006, he contested as an Independent). In the 2016 Assam Assembly Election, Suklabaidya defeated Girindra Mallik of INC (Congress) by 26837 votes.

In the 1996 Assam Election, Suklabaidya lost to Kamakhya Prasad Mala by 772 votes. Sukla Baidya came third with a total of 23,175 votes. Girindra Mallik won the election with a total of 27,032 votes.

In the 2011 Assam Election, he lost to Girindra Mallik by 14,370 votes. He stood second with a total of 38364 votes.

Dholai will see a seven-cornered battle. The other contestants from the Dholai seat are Kamakhya Prasad Mala (INC) – he defeated Suklabaidya 4 times, Ram Ratan Dusad (AJP), Gour Chandra Das (SUCI), and three Independent candidates - Ananta Mohan Roy, Dipak Ranjan Roy, and Parimal Das.

2. Rangia Constituency: Key Candidate – Bhabesh Kalita (BJP), Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Irrigation and Minister of State for Education

Bhabesh Kalita, Assam's Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Irrigation and Minister of State for Education is contesting the Assam Assembly elections 2021 from the Rangia seat for the second time.

He won the Assam Assembly Elections of 2016 by defeating Ghanashyam Kalita of the Congress (INC) by 32067 votes.

Rangia will see an eight-cornered battle. The other contestants from the Rangia seat are Dr. Babul Sahariah (AJP), Pabitra Boro (VPI), Bhagaban Dev Misra (CPI-M), Biswajit Brahma (JDU), and 3 Independent candidates - Sahabuddin Ali Ahmed, Jayanta Kumar Kalita, and Hareswar Barman.

3. Jagiroad Constituency: Key Candidate - Pijush Hazarika (BJP), Minister of State for Urban Development, Health and Family Welfare

Assam Minister of State for Urban Development, Health and Family Welfare, Pijush Hazarika is contesting the Assam Assembly Election 2021 for the second time from the Jagiroad constituency.

In the 2011 Assembly elections he won on a Congress (INC) ticket from Raha. He had defeated Guneswar Das of AIUDF by 17,983 votes.

In November 2015, he joined BJP. In the 2016 Assembly elections he won the Jagiroad seat on a BJP ticket. He had defeated Bibekananda Dalai of Congress (INC) by 28,326 votes.

Before joining BJP, Hazarika was a NSUI member and former president of Assam Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC). Hazarika is the president of the Assam Wrestling Association.

Jagiroad will see a four-cornered battle. The other contestants from the Jagiroad seat are Swapan Kumar Mandal (INC), Bubul Das (AJP), and Sukanta Mazumdar (BGP).

4. Sipajhar Constituency: Key Candidate – Paramananda Rajbongshi (BJP), Writer and Fmr Asom Sahitya Sabha President

Former Asom Sahitya Sabha President Paramananda Rajbongshi is contesting the Assam Assembly elections 2021 from the Sipajhar seat on a BJP ticket. He is contesting elections for the first time.

Prior to joining BJP in November 2020, Rajbongshi had joined AGP, an ally of BJP. He is a retired Associate Professor of Pragjyotish College, Guwahati.

Rajanbongshi is up against 8 candidates. The other contestants from the Sipajhar seat are Kuldip Barua (INC), Gitika Kakati (AJP), Paheswari Barua (SUCI), Hareswar Deka (VPI), and four Independent candidates - Amiya Kumar Deka, Aroon Barooa, Asifun Nessa, and Sahnur Ali.

5. Udalguri Constituency: Key Candidate – Rihon Daimari (BPF), Assam Minister for Public Health Engineering and Co-operation

Assam Minister for Public Health Engineering and Co-operation, Rihon Daimari is contesting from the Udalguri seat for the fifth time on a Bodoland People's Front (BPF) ticket.

He won the Assam Assembly elections four times -- 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016. In the 2001 and 2006 Assam Elections, Daimari defeated Jaman Singh Brahma of Congress (INC) by 2323 and 4875 votes respectively.

In the 2011 Assam Election, he defeated Bhramon Baglari of Congress (INC) by 16,194 votes, and in the 2016 Assam Election, he defeated Anjali Prabha Daimari (Independent) by 24,374 votes.

Udalguri will see a tough fight this election, as it will be a direct contest between 4-time MLA and Assam Minister Rihon Daimari and former leader of militant outfit, NDFB-Progressive, Gobinda Chandra Basumatary, who is contesting the Assam Assembly elections on a UPPL ticket. Basumatary is among the several former NDFB leaders who had surrendered. Basumatary is the Deputy Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Council. [Read More - Latest Assam Election 2021 Updates]

6. Diphu Constituency: Key Candidate - Sum Ronghang (INC), Fmr Assam Minister for Hill Areas Development, Mines and Minerals

Former Assam Minister for Hill Areas Development, Mines and Minerals, Sum Ronghang is contesting the upcoming Assam Assembly Elections 2021 from the Diphu seat for the second time.

In the 2016 Assam Assembly Election, Ronghang (BJP) had defeated Bidya Sing Engleng (who won the Diphu seat two times in 2006 and 2011) of Congress (INC) by 28,236 votes. This time, Ronghang is contesting on a Congress (INC) ticket from the Diphu seat. Besides being a Cabinet minister, Ronghang was also the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Autonomous Council.

On the other hand, Engleng who had been contesting from the Diphu seat on a Congress (INC) ticket, would this time contest on a BJP ticket. He won the Assam elections of 2006 and 2011. In the 2006 Assam Election, Engleng (INC) defeated Padma Maibangsa (Independent) by 5785 votes, and in the 2011 Assam Election, he defeated George Millick (Independent) by 12471 votes.

Nine candidates would be contesting for the Diphu seat. The other contestants from the Diphu seat are Rajen Timung (NPP), Ranjit Kramsa (CPI-M), Hemsing Tisso (ASDC), and four Independent candidates - Jones Ingti Kathar, Dilip Sing Bey, Bhogeswar Shyam, and Rohili Tokbipi.

7. Katigora Constituency: Key Candidate – Gautam Roy (BJP), 4-Times Assam Minister and 6-Times MLA

Former Congress strongman, four times Assam Minister and six times MLA, Gautam Roy is among the key candidates going to the polls in Phase 2 (Apr 1) of the upcoming Assam Assembly Elections 2021. After winning from the Katlichera constituency six times as a Congress candidate, Roy is contesting this election on a BJP ticket from Katigora.

Once known as the 'King of Barak Valley', Roy has served as Assam Minister once during Hiteswar Saikia government and thrice in Tarun Gogoi-led government.

He won six Assam Assembly elections in a row -- 1985, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011.

His wife Madira Roy won the Algapur seat in the by poll held in 2013 for the seat. She won on a Congress (INC) ticket.

His son Rahul Roy had won from the Algapur seat in 2006. This time he is contesting from Udharbond as an Independent candidate.

Gautam Roy's daughter-in-law, Daisy Roy is contesting from the Algapur seat as an Independent candidate.

Gautam Roy and his family's assets are worth over Rs 22 crores. They are one of the richest candidates in the fray in Phase II of Assam Assembly elections 2021.

Katigora will see an eight-cornered battle. The other contestants from the Katigora seat are Khalil Uddin Mazumder (INC), and six Independent candidates - Abdul Odud Choudhury, Junaid Ahmed Barbhuiya, Nasir Uddin Barbhuiya, Monsur Hassan Choudhury, GMC Sahab Uddin Ahmed, and Hilal Ahmed Talukder.

8. Kalaigaon Constituency: Key Candidate – Durga Das Boro (BPF), Former Assam Minister

Former Assam Minister during AGP regime and former Assam Congress leader Durga Das Boro is among the prominent names contesting in Phase 2 (Apr 1) of the upcoming Assam Assembly Elections 2021. He is contesting the Assam Elections for the sixth time on a BPF ticket from Kalaigaon constituency.

He contested five times (1985, 1991, 1996, 2006, and 2016) from the Panery constituency. In the 1985 Assam elections he contested as an Independent and won the Panery seat. He lost the 1991, 1996, 2006, and 2016 Assam elections fighting as an AGP candidate.

In 2016 he left AGP and joined the Congress party. He served the Congress party as the General Secretary. In March this year (2021) he once again jumped ship and joined the Bodoland People's Front (BPF).

Kalaigaon will see a fourteen-cornered battle. The other contestants from the Kalaigaon seat are Madhu Ram Deka (BJP), Kamal Azad (UPPL), Jitendra Chaliha (SUCI), Bhagaban Deka (VPI), Jadav Saikia (AJP), Radhe Shyam Chauhan (JDU), Sudhendu Mohan Talukdar (BGP), and six independent candidates - Kamal Choudhury, Kanu Ram Saikia, Gwmbwr Mochahary, Dulal Kumar Baruah, Pankaj Asomiya, and Rakesh Baro.

9. Panery Constituency: Key Candidate – Biswajit Daimary (BJP), Former Rajya Sabha MP

Former Rajya Sabha MP and BPF leader Biswajit Daimary is in the fray in Phase 2 (Apr 1) of the upcoming Assam Assembly Elections 2021. He is contesting from the Panery constituency on a BJP ticket.

Daimary had contested the Assam Assembly elections twice (2001 & 2006) from the Tamulpur constituency. In the 2001 elections he contested as an Independent candidate and won the election defeating Padum Chauhan by 16,854 votes. In the 2006 elections, he stood third with a total number of 33,227 votes.

He was elected as a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha (2008-2014). He was elected for the second term from 2014 to 2020 as a member of BPF and from 2021 as a member of the BJP.

In November 2020, Daimary left BPF and joined BJP just ahead of the Bodoland Territorial Council elections. On November 21, 2020, Daimary resigned from the Rajya Sabha and he was re-elected on February 23, 2021.

Daimary was also a member of the Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture (2008-2009). Currently, he is a member of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Railways and Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Panery will see a six-cornered battle. The other contestants from the Panery seat are Karuna Kanta Swargiary (BPF), Bhumitra Kachari (VPI), Swarnalata Chaliha (SUCI), and two independent candidates - Bapan Banik and Biswajit Minj.