DUNI, March 30 � The election wave has gradually started to blow in favour of Independent candidate, former Revenue Minister Dr Zoiinath Sarma in 66 Sipajhar LA Constituency. Besides some unsatisfied Congress workers and supporters, a large number of AGP workers have been openly working for Dr Sarma. As a result, strength of the AGP has weakened in some places of the constituency. With 25 years of practical experience in politics, Dr Sarma has now been seen eroding the Congress fort also.
Defeating his nearest rival Madhab Rajbonshi (Janata Dal), Dr Sarma first entered politics in 1985 as Sipajhar LAC MLA on an AGP ticket. And since then, he kept this prestigious seat under his grip till 2006. During this long time, Dr Sarma was able to earn a good reputation. But, in the general election of 2006, former student leader Binanda Kumar Saikia (Congress) defeated him. Taking this opportunity youth leader Mukut Sarma joined the AGP just a few months back. And finally ignoring the seniority, AGP gave the party ticket to Mukut Sarma. But Dr Sarma is very popular among the AGP voters of the constituency and that is why the rank and file of AGP has turned towards him.
On the other hand, this time also the ruling Congress has given the party ticket to sitting MLA Binanda Kumar Saikia. As the ruling party�s MLA Saikia tried to bring a change in road and bridge sector, particularly in west Darrang area, but he could not satisfy some influential party workers of the constituency for which he may have to face a tough time in some places of the constituency.
Some Congress faces have already been seen with Dr Sarma. Though both the candidates, Dr Sarma and sitting MLA Binanda Kumar Saikia are almost equally popular among their respective voters, Dr Sarma has now become strong day by day. So, it is expected that the main contest in Sipajhar LAC will be between Zoiinath Sarma and Binanda Kumar Saikia.
Meanwhile, no major mentionable poll activities of BJP candidate Kuladhar Saharia, Trinamool Congress candidate Amio Kumar Deka etc have been noticed, particularly in greater west Darrang area. It may be mentioned here that this time most of the voters may judge the individual quality of candidates rather their party affiliation.
Atul Kalita, president of Duni Regional Students� Union told this correspondent that the local AASU units would play a silent role in election.
