15 leaders expelled from BJP in Assam

Guwahati: Ruling BJP expelled 15 of its leaders, including former Deputy Speaker Dilip Kumar Paul, for six years on Thursday after they filed nominations as independent candidates after being denied tickets to contest in the upcoming Assembly elections.

As per State BJP General Secretary Rajdeep Roy, state party president Ranjeet Kumar Dass approved the action against the 15 with immediate effect. Dilip Kumar Paul and legislator Shiladitya Dev had resigned from the party earlier this month. However, Dev later announced he would campaign for the party following persuasion by senior party leader and Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Dilip Kumar Paul was elected from Silchar in 2014 in a by-election and then again in 2016 and became deputy speaker, a post he quit in 2018. However, this time, the BJP has nominated Dipayan Chakraborty from Silchar.

Additionally, BJP has also denied tickets to 10 sitting legislators and Minister Sum Ronghang, who has joined the Congress and shall be contesting as a Congress candidate from his Diphu constituency.

Of 126 seats in the Assam assembly, the BJP is contesting in 92 while giving 26 to its ally Asom Gana Parishad and 8 to United People's Party Liberal, a new-found ally.