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Guwahati: On Saturday night, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) officially announced senior leader Birendra Prasad Baishya as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Assam, scheduled to be held on June 19, 2025.
Baishya, who holds an MA in Economics from Gauhati University (1979) and a BA from Darrang College (1976), is a veteran politician with a long track record. He served as Union Minister of Steel and Mines in 1996 after winning the Lok Sabha election from Mangaldoi constituency that year. He was later elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2008 and again in June 2019.
While Baishya’s nomination marks continuity for the AGP, many younger leaders within the party had hoped for a new face this time. However, the leadership chose to re-nominate Baishya, reaffirming their trust in his experience and seniority.
Earlier the same day, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) named Kanad Purkayastha, Secretary of BJP Assam Pradesh, as its candidate for the other Rajya Sabha seat from Assam. The decision came after the BJP’s Central Election Committee approved his nomination.
Out of the two seats, one was allotted to AGP, while BJP fielded its candidate for the other. The Election Commission of India had earlier announced the elections will be held to replace retiring members Mission Ranjan Das and Birendra Prasad Baishya, whose terms end on June 14.
Rajya Sabha Election Schedule:
- Last date for nominations: June 9, 2025 (Monday)
- Scrutiny of nominations: June 10, 2025 (Tuesday)
- Last date for withdrawal: June 12, 2025 (Thursday)
- Date of polling: June 19, 2025 (Thursday) from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Counting of votes: June 19, 2025 at 5:00 pm
