GUWAHATI: Politics over Rajya Sabha (RS) election took a new twist in Assam after chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday reached out to suspended Congress MLA Sashikanta Das at his Raha residence in central Assam’s Nagaon district. From Das’s residence, Sarma announced that the Congress legislator will vote for a BJP-supported candidate in the RS polls.
Even as the Assam PCC has been asserting that two of its MLAs – Sashikanta the other Sherman Ali Ahmed – are bound to vote for the opposition’s candidate under a three-line whip to be issued, Sarma told the media that Das will vote either for the BJP nominee or supported candidate from the ruling alliance. “I don’t know about Sherman Ali but Sashikanta Das has informed me that he is going to vote for us in the Rajya Sabha election. Sashikanta has already publicly announced that he is with the government,” said Sarma. Incidentally, he said in the RS election, a whip has no value.
“Basically the ballot paper has to be shown to the agent. But disqualification cannot be done based on whom the legislator votes in the Rajya Sabha election,” he added.
Sarma also said a few more Congress MLAs may join BJP soon.
Assam Congress suspended Sashikanta Das, who stirred a controversy by touching the feet of Sarma and state BJP president Bhabesh Kalita. Das, Congress legislator from Raha, said he will support the BJP-led government from within the Congress to usher in development to his constituency.
The ruling BJP needs a total of 43 votes to ensure win of its first-choice candidate, provided all 126 members of the House cast their votes. For the second-preference candidate, a minimum 42 votes will be required by the ruling alliance. Under such circumstances, opposition will also need 42 votes to ensure victory of its candidate. Currently, the opposition parties in the state assembly, including an Independent MLA, have 44 votes. This also includes two votes of Sherman and Sashikanta. BJP and allies have a total 82 votes.
Meanwhile, the opposition lashed out at CM Sarma alleging that his announcement from Sashikanta’s house is a “threat to democracy”. “Perhaps, the CM went to meet Sashikanta Das to pressurize him to vote for them in the Rajya Sabha election. I condemn such acts,” leader of opposition, Debabrata Saikia, told the media.
Independent MLA and Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi said Sashikanta’s behaviour is driven by personal interest. “It’s not only a threat to democracy but condemnable so far as human ethics is concerned,” said Akhil.
For the RS polls from Assam, Congress and other opposition parties have fielded former Assam PCC president Ripun Bora once again, whereas BJP has named senior party spokesperson Pabitra Margherita. BJP ally United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) has nominated Rwngwra Narzary for the election to be held for two seats from Assam on March 31.
Even as the Assam PCC has been asserting that two of its MLAs – Sashikanta the other Sherman Ali Ahmed – are bound to vote for the opposition’s candidate under a three-line whip to be issued, Sarma told the media that Das will vote either for the BJP nominee or supported candidate from the ruling alliance. “I don’t know about Sherman Ali but Sashikanta Das has informed me that he is going to vote for us in the Rajya Sabha election. Sashikanta has already publicly announced that he is with the government,” said Sarma. Incidentally, he said in the RS election, a whip has no value.
“Basically the ballot paper has to be shown to the agent. But disqualification cannot be done based on whom the legislator votes in the Rajya Sabha election,” he added.
Sarma also said a few more Congress MLAs may join BJP soon.
Assam Congress suspended Sashikanta Das, who stirred a controversy by touching the feet of Sarma and state BJP president Bhabesh Kalita. Das, Congress legislator from Raha, said he will support the BJP-led government from within the Congress to usher in development to his constituency.
The ruling BJP needs a total of 43 votes to ensure win of its first-choice candidate, provided all 126 members of the House cast their votes. For the second-preference candidate, a minimum 42 votes will be required by the ruling alliance. Under such circumstances, opposition will also need 42 votes to ensure victory of its candidate. Currently, the opposition parties in the state assembly, including an Independent MLA, have 44 votes. This also includes two votes of Sherman and Sashikanta. BJP and allies have a total 82 votes.
Meanwhile, the opposition lashed out at CM Sarma alleging that his announcement from Sashikanta’s house is a “threat to democracy”. “Perhaps, the CM went to meet Sashikanta Das to pressurize him to vote for them in the Rajya Sabha election. I condemn such acts,” leader of opposition, Debabrata Saikia, told the media.
Independent MLA and Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi said Sashikanta’s behaviour is driven by personal interest. “It’s not only a threat to democracy but condemnable so far as human ethics is concerned,” said Akhil.
For the RS polls from Assam, Congress and other opposition parties have fielded former Assam PCC president Ripun Bora once again, whereas BJP has named senior party spokesperson Pabitra Margherita. BJP ally United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) has nominated Rwngwra Narzary for the election to be held for two seats from Assam on March 31.