Rajen Gohain not seen at Rupak Sarmah’s Nomination Filing

Guwahati, March 26, 2019:

It seems like cracks are starting to appear in the BJP party over the issue of tickets. Instead of being present at Nowgong MP Rajen Gohain’s nomination filing on Tuesday, sitting MP Rajen Gohain left his place of residence in the wee hours of the morning. The 4-time MP, as well as Railway Minister, was denied the ticket at the last moment as the BJP party announced Sadar MLA Rupak Sarmah as the party nominee after midnight on Tuesday.

Although Gohain had stated that he would not be contesting the elections due to rape allegations, the MP was given a clean chit by the Gauhati High Court on Monday. The BJP had not announced a candidate from Nowgong up until the last moment which led to speculations that Gohain would ultimately be given the ticket to contest the elections.

After being cleared of rape charges, Gohain had shown eagerness to contest the election and had even sent the Court’s verdict to the BJP high command in Delhi, but was denied the ticket by the saffron party in a dramatic way.

On Tuesday, the last day of filing nominations for the Phase-II of the elections, Rupak Sarmah, prior to submitting his documents, visited Gohain’s residence, but Gohain and his wife were found to be missing. Speaking to journalists regarding the issue, the BJP nominee Rupak Sarmah, said: “Although my political role-model is not at his residence due to a busy schedule, I hope he will participate in my nomination filing process.”

But at the end of it all, Gohain did not turn up to witness Rupak Sarmah file his nomination, which shows that infighting is very much an issue within the saffron party in the run-up to the elections.