GUWAHATI, March 16 � The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) today announced that former Chief Minister and the present Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Prafulla Kumar Mahanta would be its candidate for the Samaguri Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC), while making the final list of its nominees public. In Samaguri, Mahanta will be waging the electoral battle with Congress' heavyweight and Minister Rokybul Hussain.
It needs mention here that the AGP earlier announced Mahanta as its nominee for Barhampur LAC in Nagaon district and he is contesting from two constituencies.
The other party nominees whose names were announced today include those of Dhruba Banikya for Abhayapuri--South, Mukut Sarma for Sipajhar and Mamoni Bora for Batadraba.
AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary told this newspaper that with today's list of nominees, the total number of party nominees now stands at 104.
Of them, 44 our new faces, six are women and around 17 are youths. The party has nominated youths for Dhubri, Abhayapuri--South, Gohpur, Dhakuwakhana, Thawra, Moran, Sonari, Lahowal, Tinsukia, Digboi, Udarbond, Morigaon, Sipajhar, Jalukbari, Palasbari, Dudhnoi and Goalpara-West, among others, said Patowary.
The AGP has arrived electoral understanding with the Gana Shakti, Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) and Bodoland People's Progressive Front (BPPF). It has struck a deal with the Gana Shakti to not to field any candidate in Jonai and Majuli LACs in return of support to its (AGP) candidates in around 20 LACs.
The party also agreed to not to field any candidate in Kokrajhar East and West, Bijni, Sidli, Udalguri, Paneri and Majbat LACs in the Bodoland Territorial Administrative District (BTAD) areas, following an understanding with the BPPF, while it has left the two seats of Haflong in Dima Hasao and Diphu in Karbi Anglong for the ASDC.
In BTAD areas, the AGP will, however, field its candidates in Tamulpur, Kalaigaon, Barama and Rangiya LACs, said the AGP president.
