Party to win both Rajya Sabha seats in Assam, as many Congress MLA’s likely to join BJP: CM

March 20: Two Rajya Sabha seats in Assam will fall vacant after the term of MP Ranee Narah and Ripun Bora- both from Congress ends on April 2, 2022. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday has announced that Pabitra Margherita will be one of the Rajya Sabha candidates in Assam. Congress has nominated Ripun Bora aas the party’s candidate from Assam for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Elections to fill up the 13 Rajya Sabha seats across six states will be held on March 31.

Meanwhile, speaking with the media, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “BJP has announced the candidature of Pabitra Margherita for one seat, whereas for the 2nd seat, we will support the candidate nominated by UPPL. And I am confident on the basis of the strength of our party that we will easily win both of the seats.”

When asked about Ripun Bora’s statement of winning one of the seats, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma replied, “They have not understood the fact many of the MLA’s are going to join the BJP. These MLA’s will vote for BJP so our victory in these 2 seats will become easy. As for example, MLA Sashi Kanta Das will support us. There is no system of issuing whip by parties during Rajya Sabha election. Anyone can vote for any party, for which the legislators can’t be expelled by his/her party. Moreover, there are some MLA’s who does not seem to care even if they are disqualified by their party.” He, however, refused to divulge the names of MLA’s who would switch sides and vote for BJP in the Rajya Sabha.

“Apart from around 9 opposition MLA’s, the rest are ready to come to BJP,” added the Chief Minister.