Assam By Polls: Congress almost confirms Manuranjan Konwar from Thowra, over 10 party mandal units warned to withdraw support

GUWAHATI: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has almost confirmed Manuranjan Konwar, a close aide of former Congress MLA Sushanta Borgohain who had joined BJP recently, to contest from the Thowra constituency, as informed by highly placed party source, as the state set to go to by-polls on October 30.

Already in a meeting yesterday in the Thowra LAC, almost 14 Mandal Congress presidents have unanimously decided to withdraw their support if Manuranjan Konwar to be fieled as Congress candidate.

As many as five persons have put forward their name from the Thowra constituency namely, Ajoy Kumar Gogoi, Manuranjan Konwar, Nibha Konwar, Chandan Phukan and Samir Lodhi.

The 14 mandal Congress units - Na Haat Mandal, Palengi, Sorugua, Sukan pukhuri, Maharani, Rajabari, East & West Pani Dehing, Borgaon, Parijat, Bakhor Bengena, Athabari, Gohain pukhuri, Bhonga haat etc - have extended their support to Ajoy Kumar Gogoi as Thowra candidate. They also warned the party of resigning and withdraw support if Manuranjan Konwar will get party ticket.

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"We accept that Manuranjan Konwar has been doing Congress. But what's his position today? We want to take revenge from Sushanta Borgohain, for ditching us to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is not going to be possible with Manoranjan Konwar," said Na-haat Mandal Congress president Sarbaswar Gogoi.

Another Congress Mandal president has informed InsideNE on condition of anonymity that Sushanta Borgohain had arranged a feast last night to celebrate Manuranjan Konwar's ticket confirmation from the Thowra LAC.

"We have the support of few BJP members with us too as they are angry over Sushanta Borgohai's induction into the party. But why would they help if Congress decides to field another close aide to Sushanta? Congress soon will lose its base from Thowra if they want to commit this mistake of fielding Manuranjan Konwar," said the Mandal president.

Sources have also informed InsideNE that in Congress' party meeting on by-election on Friday in Guwahati, CLP leader Debabrata Saikia has forced upon Manuranjan Konwar's name from Thowra, after which the party workers have questioned Saikia's intention over it.

“We did not understand his (Debabrata Saikia) stand on this whether it was to help BJP or Congress as Saikia's own name itself is doing the surface to join BJP next from Congress. Even Sushanta Borgohain tried to avoid taking Konwar along with him to campaigns fearing losing of votes. Now his name is being suggested as a candidate," said a party member on condition of anonymity.

Konwar is also the general secretary of the Sivasagar District Congress Committee.

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