Barhampur ticket sealed: Assam BJP president signals Jitu Goswami’s candidature, AGP hopes fade

The Bharatiya Janata Party has effectively confirmed the candidature of sitting MLA Jitu Goswami from the Barhampur Assembly constituency in Nagaon district, with clear indications coming from the party’s state leadership on March 1. 

BJP Assam president Dilip Saikia made the announcement during the concluding meeting of the second day of the Jan Ashirwad Yatra held at Puronigudam in Barhampur.

Addressing party workers and supporters, Saikia asserted that Goswami would secure victory this time with a significantly larger margin compared to the previous election. His remarks were widely seen as a formal endorsement, putting to rest speculation over the BJP’s candidate for Barhampur in the upcoming Assembly elections. Saikia’s statement has all but sealed Goswami’s nomination from the constituency.

Later, responding to questions from journalists after the meeting, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reinforced the signal sent by the party president. “Who will get the ticket in Barhampur is evident from the president’s speech itself,” the Chief Minister said, further underlining the BJP’s stand.

Meanwhile, the development appears to have dashed the hopes of alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in the constituency. Mani Madhab Mahanta, the Nagaon district president of AGP and brother of Assam minister Keshab Mahanta, has reportedly indicated a withdrawal of expectations of being fielded as the AGP-led alliance candidate from Barhampur.

Barhampur, a key constituency in Nagaon, is expected to witness an intense contest in the coming polls, but the BJP’s early clarity on candidature suggests a strategic move to consolidate its organisational strength well ahead of the elections.