Over five lakh electors will decide on the fate of 25 candidates, who are in the fray for the September 13 bypolls to three legislative Assembly constituencies in Assam — Silchar, lakhipur and Jamunamukh.
While there are of 5,09,689 eligible electors including 2,44,543 females in the three constituencies, a total of 25 candidates are in the electoral fray for the Saturday’s bypolls.
The Silchar and Jamuna-mukh constituencies fell vacant as the sitting legislators — Congress’ Sushmita Dev in Silchar and All India United Democratic Front’s Sirajuddin Ajmal in Jamunamukh — got elected to the lok Sabha from Silchar and Barpeta lok Sabha seats respectively.
The lakhipur lok Sabha seat fell vacant as sitting MlA Dinesh Prasad Goala (Congress) died during the lok Sabha polls due illness.
Observers feel that the three constituencies are likely to see either a straight or a three cornered contest among the Congress, the BJP and the AIUDF in the forthcoming by polls as Assam's regiona political party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has decided to abstain from the polls.
It is believed that Congress and BJP will have a straight fight in Silchar while the lakhipur constituency will see a three cornered fight between the Congress, BJP and the AIUDF. Jamunamukh constituency, on the other hand, is a traditional vote bank of the AIUDF.
While the Congress has fielded late Goala's son Rajdeep Goala in lakhipur, AIUDF has pitted party's chief and perfume trader Badaruddin Ajmal's son Abdur Rahim Ajmal in Jamunamukh constituency. In SIlchar, Congress has fielded Arun Dutta Mazumder against BJP's Dilip Paul.