Guwahati: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), the principal opposition party in the state, has formally commenced its election preparedness for the forthcoming Assam Assembly elections. In a significant show of political momentum, nearly 300 aspirants from across the state have already submitted their applications seeking the Congress ticket, signaling heightened interest and intra-party competition.
The Congress headquarters at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati has turned into a bustling political hub, with a continuous stream of candidates and supporters arriving daily. Party insiders say the environment is charged with activity as aspirants from diverse constituencies seek a mandate to contest under the Congress banner.
According to APCC Treasurer Dr. Hemahori Pegu, the ticket application process will continue until January 20. He further revealed that the party expects the number of applications to exceed 400 in the next two days, reflecting the Congress’ growing influence and organizational strength.
The party has established a systematic mechanism to handle the application process. From 10 AM onwards, multiple counters have been set up at the Hiteshwar Saikia Memorial Hall within Rajiv Bhawan, where party officials scrutinize applications and issue acknowledgements. This logistical preparation underscores the Congress’ commitment to a transparent and efficient candidate selection process.
A party source disclosed that approximately 2000 application forms have been downloaded from the APCC’s official website, indicating strong interest among leaders and grassroots workers. Notably, candidates from Upper Assam, Lower Assam, and Central Assam have already submitted their applications, representing a broad-based political mobilization.
Each aspirant is required to submit a demand draft of ₹50,000 to the party fund, as per the APCC’s guidelines. This procedural step reinforces the party’s disciplined approach to candidate selection.
Political observers note that the current rush of aspirants includes sitting MLAs, former MLAs, and new political entrants, highlighting a robust contest for tickets within the Congress. The party has been accepting applications since January 5, reflecting its early strategic planning to challenge the ruling NDA government.
APCC President Gaurav Gogoi had earlier indicated that the Congress aims to contest approximately 100 seats directly, while the remaining constituencies may be negotiated through alliance partnerships. The party is reportedly exploring seat-sharing arrangements with regional partners including the Assam Jatiya Parishad, Raijor Dal, and other political formations.
As the deadline approaches, the Congress’ ticket application process is increasingly shaping the political narrative in Assam, projecting a party that is both organizationally prepared and electorally confident.
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