HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, Feb 23: Political activity is intensifying in the politically significant 83rd Margherita Legislative Assembly Constituency in Assam’s Tinsukia district, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) preparing to finalise its candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections.
The constituency, considered a key battleground in Upper Assam, has drawn considerable attention as four aspirants have applied for the BJP ticket.
Related Posts:
Among them is two-time sitting MLA Bhaskar Sharma, who has represented the constituency since 2016.
Sharma first entered the Assembly in 2016 after defeating former Congress heavyweight and four-time MLA Pradyut Bordoloi by a margin of 22,744 votes.
He strengthened his position in the 2021 elections, securing a second consecutive term with 86,640 votes, over 56.5 percent vote share and a massive victory margin.
Other aspirants seeking the party nomination include Khitish Debnath, Harish Suman Saikia and Anamika Rajbanshi, all of whom have submitted their applications to the party leadership.
However, according to feedback from local residents across the constituency, the overwhelming public sentiment appears to favour the incumbent MLA.
Many voters said they were largely unfamiliar with the other aspirants and expressed a preference for continuity in leadership.
Across various sections of society — including tea garden workers, traders, and urban residents — people credited Sharma with visible development works in the constituency over the past decade.
These include improvements in infrastructure, civic facilities and local amenities.
Women voters particularly highlighted the benefits of welfare schemes such as Orunodoi, Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMMUA), Chief Minister’s Arogya Scheme, Nijut Maina Scheme, widow pensions and free ration distribution, stating that these initiatives have strengthened financial security and empowerment.
With the 2026 Assam Assembly elections approaching, the strong grassroots support for the sitting MLA underscores his political standing in the constituency.
However, the final decision on the BJP candidate is awaited, making Margherita a constituency to watch as the political climate in Assam gathers momentum.
