Himanta Biswa Sarma files nomination, skirts queries on BJP’s CM face in Assam | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Leading a massive rally, Assam finance minister and BJP heavyweight Himanta Biswa Sarma filed nomination from his traditional constituency of Jalukbari on Friday. The North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor submitted his papers amid speculations of he likely being the next chief minister of the state if the BJP-led alliance retains power as the party has not projected any face for the upcoming elections.
Usually, the incumbent chief minister of a state is also projected as the chief ministerial candidate for next assembly election. However, in a rare case, the BJP has not named Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal as its face for the forthcoming state polls.
This has given rise to speculations that Sonowal may not continue as the CM. He may be brought to the Centre while he may be replaced with Sarma in the state.
Sarma filed his nomination in the backdrop of uncertainty over the CM’s name.
Asked about the chief ministerial face after he filed his nomination, Sarma skirted all questions over the issue.
Sarma is contesting from Jalukbari for the fifth consecutive term. He had won the seat in 2016 by a margin of over 85,000 votes.
The NEDA convenor led a massive rally from Sonaram Field in Guwahati to the office of Kamrup metropolitan deputy commissioner Biswajit Pegu, where he submitted his papers in the presence of chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and senior party leaders.
Accompanied by entrepreneur wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma and son Nandil, the political heavyweight, during the roadshow, waved at his supporters, who played traditional musical instruments to greet him.
Women, in colourful attire, were seen performing Bihu dance on the two-kilometre stretch that the rally covered in a span of three hours.
Earlier in the day, Sarma and his wife had offered prayers at the Kamakhya temple here.
The state finance minister, after filing his nomination, told reporters that the election results would determine the course of Assam’s development and its future.
Seeking people’s blessings, he exuded confidence that the BJP-AGP-UPPL combine will win the assembly polls.
Asked about his thoughts on opposition mahajoth (grand alliance), the minister, refusing to say much, wished them well.
(With agency inputs)