HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, March 27: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal filed his nomination for the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday. Sonowal, accompanied by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union minister of state for Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameswar Teli, and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Atul Bora, filed his nomination before returning officer Bikram Kairi.
Ahead of the filing of nomination, a huge rally was organised at the Old Government High School playground, where Sonowal addressed his party supporters who had turned up in huge numbers.
From there, Sonowal, in an open vehicle, took out a colourful procession through the streets of Dibrugarh up to the District Commissioner’s Office, with thousands of supporters who danced and sang as they accompanied Sonowal, covering the 3-km distance. Chants of ‘BJP Zindabad’, ‘Narendra Modi Zindabad’, and ‘Sarbananda Sonowal Zindabad’ filled the atmosphere, reflecting a festive spirit in the air.
Speaking to reporters, Sonowal said, “This election marks an opportunity to continue the commendable initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It’s about driving Assam further along the path of development and propelling India towards greater progress.”
Accompanying Sonowal, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed confidence, stating, “We are poised to secure a resounding victory in the election, contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consecutive third term. We anticipate victory in 11 out of 14 constituencies without a doubt. Our efforts extend to clinching wins in Nagaon and Karimganj as well. In Dibrugarh, Sarbananda Sonowal is expected to secure victory with a margin ranging from 2.5 to 3 lakh votes. Similarly, in Jorhat, we are expecting a margin of victory of 3 lakh votes. The unwavering support of the people stands firmly behind the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi also filed his nomination for the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday. He was also accompanied by hundreds of supporters as he took out a procession to the District Commissioner’s Office, where he filed his nomination before the returning officer.
Lurinjyoti Gogoi is facing a triangular fight in the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat with BJP stalwart and Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s Manoj Dhanowar. The Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on April 9 in the first phase of the election.
Earlier in the day, on Tuesday, the chief minister accompanied the BJP candidate and incumbent MP of Lakhimpur Lok Sabha seat Pradan Baruah as he filed his nomination for the Lakhimpur seat.
