Rebels to the fore in Nagaon

Nagaon, May 2. The politically important seven constituencies of Nagaon district have assumed added significance with several rebel candidates from various parties expected to give good fight to the more established contenders in the election.

Some of the rebel candidates in the seven constituencies -- Baharampur, Nagaon, Dhing, Roha, Rupohihat, Samaguri and Batadrava -- are even capable of springing real surprises.

The Baharampur constituency, from where the Chief Minister Prafulla Mahanta is contesting as an AGP candidate, is likely to witness a direct contest between the AGP and Congress though rebel candidates like Uma Phukan, an independent, and the breakway faction of the BJP's Subhas Laskar are expected to cut into the votes of both the parties.

However, Mahanta, who is fighting for a third consecutive term, is in a comfortable position with the Opposition Congress candidate, Chitralekha Phukan's nomination meeting with protests within the party. Phukan, widow of the senior Congress leader, Ramesh Phukan, who unsuccessfully contested the 1985 and 1991 assembly polls, has been challenged by the veteran freedom fighter and the 1996 Congress candidate, Uma Phukan, who is now contesting the polls as an independent.

- PTI

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Section  : State Elections
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