HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, Nov 13: The fate of three candidates in the 31 No Sidli constituency by-election has been sealed in EVMs, with a 71.50 percent voter turnout recorded by 5:00 pm on Wednesday.
The by-election in the Sidli constituency of Chirang district proceeded smoothly, with over 71.50 percent voter participation across the constituency. Polling was conducted in 273 stations from 7:00 am, under tight security. A healthy atmosphere prevailed as voters queued in long lines to exercise their democratic rights from early morning.
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UPPL candidate Nirmal Kumar Brahma, backed by the NDA alliance, cast his vote with family members at Bhawanipur LP School polling station in the morning. Kokrajhar Lok Sabha MP, Joyanta Basumatary, also cast his vote at the Thangabari LP School polling station in Sidli LAC, accompanied by his family.
Notably, three candidates contested the Sidli LAC by-election: UPPL candidate Nirmal Kumar Brahma (NDA-backed), Sanjib Wary of the Congress, and Suddha Kumar Basumatary of the BPF party. The by-election became necessary after MLA Joyanta Basumatary resigned upon being elected as an MP in the Lok Sabha during the last parliamentary elections held in June.
A triangular contest emerged across Sidli constituency, with a congenial environment observed. “The by-election atmosphere felt festive, with voters eagerly coming out in the morning to elect their representative,” commented a senior citizen in Sidli LAC, adding that voters expressed happiness over the peaceful conclusion of the polling.
Nirmal Kumar Brahma expressed confidence, stating that the UPPL candidate has significant support in Sidli LAC and anticipates a favorable outcome. He remarked that people across communities have shown strong support for the NDA-backed UPPL candidate. He further asserted that the influence of the Opposition BPF party has diminished, with citizens showing less regard for BPF and Congress candidates. Brahma added that the BPF party is becoming increasingly irrelevant among the masses.
Pramod Boro, chief executive member of the Bodoland Territorial Region and UPPL president, reported a positive response for the Sidli LAC candidate. He confirmed that the by-election proceeded peacefully across the constituency and predicted that the UPPL candidate would win by a margin of over sixty thousand votes. Boro extended his gratitude to chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal, state minister Ashok Singhal, and Assam BJP president Bhabesh Kalita, alongside other NDA leaders, for their dedicated campaign efforts.
CEM Boro confidently stated that all NDA-supported candidates across the five LACs, including Sidli, are poised for victory in Assam.
“As the bypolls for the 31 No Sidli (ST) LAC conclude, I express my heartfelt gratitude to our Karmayogi CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal, state minister Ashok Singhal, BJP state president Bhabesh Kalita, and AGP president Atul Bora for their inspirational leadership of our NDA alliance. With the blessings of Sidli’s people and under the CM’s masterful stewardship, our UPPL+BJP+AGP Alliance is certain to emerge as the undisputed victor in the bypolls,” Boro declared.
Our Nagaon correspondent adds: Amidst scattered clashes between supporters of the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress at several polling stations, over 78.1 percent of electors cast their votes in the Samaguri assembly by-election by 5:00 pm on Wednesday. It is expected that voter turnout will exceed 80 percent, as many electors are still waiting in line at several polling stations, sources added.
According to sources, a series of incidents, including scuffles between supporters of the ruling saffron party and the opposition Congress, disrupted the smooth conduct of the by-polls at several polling stations. Polling officials were forced to deploy additional security forces to bring the situation under control.
Sources claimed that some Congress workers allegedly intercepted BJP candidate Diplu Ranjan Sarma at No 2 Khalihamari polling station, creating a ruckus and preventing him from entering the station. Subsequently, on-duty security personnel brought the situation under control by detaining one person connected with the incident. Similarly, other scattered incidents occurred at the Pub Salpara polling station, prompting polling officials to halt the voting process. It was reported that Congress MP Rakibul Hussain rushed to the Salpara polling station, and upon his arrival, some individuals went on a rampage, shouting slogans against him and restricting his movement.
Later, seeing the situation, Hussain decided to leave. Subsequently, at the same location, irate locals damaged a vehicle belonging to a scribe from Lahorighat in Morigaon district. It was reported that the scribe had been campaigning in favour of Congress candidate Tanzil Hussain for over a week while staying in the constituency.
Additionally, a scuffle between Congress and BJP workers took place at the Geruakutaoni polling station, which was also brought under control by security forces, sources added.
