Representative image.

Altogether 60 candidates including 45 for Mising Autonomous Council (MAC) and 15 for Sonowal Kochari Autonomous Council (SKAC) are contesting the election in Dhemaji district of Assam.

According to district election department, 45 candidates are contesting the council election in 17 MAC seats, while 15 candidates are contesting in four seats of SKAC in the district.

Dhemaji sub-divisional administration is conducting the election in 10 MAC and three SKAC constituencies, while Jonai sub-division is conducting poll activities in seven MAC and the single SKAC seat.

Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Congress (INC), Sanmilita Gana Sakti(SGS), VPI and Independents are contesting the council polls in the district.

The ruling party though had alliance with SGS last panchayat election, yet its party candidates are facing contest with SGS nominees in many MAC constituencies this election. The saffron party is contesting in nine constituencies (both council) including the lone SKAC seat in Jonai.

Former Chief Executive Councilor of MAC Paramananda Chayengiya is re-contesting from No 17 Mingmang seat, while Takam Mising Porin Kebang (Mising Students) president Naresh Kumbang is contesting MAC election from No 2 Murkongselek (unreserved) constituency as SGS candidate.

One Malendra Narzary of SGS, who alone filed nomination paper in No 6 Sanjari Nigir MAC (ST) seat in Jonai declared winner unopposed.

On the other hand, three candidates namely Bijoy Saikia (BJP), Jan Hazarika (INC) and Harkhajyoti Kochari (Independant) are contesting the election in Jonai constituency of SKAC.

Mising Autonomous Council with its head office at Gogamukh in Dhemaji district has total 36 constituencies across nine districts of Assam, out of which 17 are falling in Dhemaji district.

Jonai sub-division, which is a tribal belt with majority Mising people has seven MAC constituencies.

Prafulla Kaman is Northeast Now Correspondent in Dhemaji. He can be reached at: [email protected]