Guwahati, June 7: The BJP has officially nominated Kanad Purkayastha, son of former Union minister Kabindra Purkayastha, as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Assam. The move underscores the party’s tilt toward legacy leadership, with Purkayastha being known as a committed grassroots worker with deep ideological ties to the BJP.
While the BJP has made its choice clear, its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has yet to finalize its candidate. A three-member AGP panel—comprising president Atul Bora, working president Keshab Mahanta, and MP Phani Bhushan Choudhury—held deliberations on Saturday evening, but the meeting ended without consensus. The AGP is now expected to announce its nominee on Sunday.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has already declared the schedule for the Rajya Sabha polls to fill two seats that will fall vacant following the retirement of Mission Ranjan Das and Birendra Prasad Baishya on June 14.
As per the schedule, the last date for filing nominations on June 9, the crutiny of nominations on June 10, the last date for withdrawal on June 12 and the olling date on June 19, from 9 AM to 4 PM. The counting of votes will be conducted on June 19 at 5 PM.
Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia welcomed Kanad’s nomination and expressed gratitude to the party’s central leadership—Prime Minister Narendra Modi, JP Nadda, Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma—for backing his candidacy. “Kanad is a dedicated karyakarta who truly represents the BJP’s principles and Assam’s aspirations,” Saikia said.
Responding to the announcement, Kanad Purkayastha posted a heartfelt message on social media: “The past few hours have been overwhelming with responsibilities, formalities and preparations. While I may have missed replying individually, please know that every message, call and gesture of support means a great deal to me.”
“I am truly grateful for your blessings and encouragement. Your trust and goodwill will continue to inspire me in this new journey of service.”
As BJP gears up for the polls, the pressure is now squarely on the AGP. Political observers say the delay hints at either internal deliberations or last-minute manoeuvring, but the clock is ticking—and the Rajya Sabha race is heating up fast.
