Assam: 6 BJP candidates win uncontested in North Cachar Hills council elections

Six Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates emerged victorious without facing any opposition in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council elections. The unopposed victories have raised eyebrows, particularly as three Congress candidates were reported missing.

Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, the general secretary of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), expressed concern over the disappearance of three Congress candidates – Dhiraj Langthasa, Rupinath Chengyung and Papil Hojai. Kumar Bhattacharjee  claimed that there was no information about their whereabouts since Thursday night.

Contrary to these claims, it was revealed on December 22, the day of withdrawal of nominations, that the three missing Congress candidates, along with three others, willingly withdrew their nomination papers. The withdrawn Congress candidates include Jayathan Longmaila from Hamri constituency, Papil Hojai from Harengjao constituency and an additional candidate from Gunajung constituency.

The BJP candidates who secured unopposed victories are Manjit Naiding from Hamri constituency, Mohit Hojai from West Maibang constituency, Prajit Hojai from Hajadisa constituency, Amendu Hojai from Harengjao constituency, Najit Kempra from Gunajung constituency and an unnamed candidate from East Maibang constituency.

The motive behind the sudden withdrawal of the six Congress candidates remains a mystery, with Bhattacharjee alleging that fear compelled them to step back from the electoral race. On the other hand, Debolal Gorlosa, the chief executive member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, dismissed these allegations, branding them as baseless. Gorlosa insisted that the Congress candidates voluntarily withdrew their names from the elections.