Haflong, Dec 19: Political parties in Dima Hasao have officially announced their candidates for the upcoming 13th North Cachar Hill Autonomous Council (NCHAC) election, scheduled for January 8, 2024. With the deadline for filing nominations just two days away, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to make its debut in the council election, fielding candidates in 12 out of the 28 constituencies, including Haflong, Jatinga, Borail, Mahur, Jinam, Daothuhaja, Hajadisa, Garampani, Khartong, Dehangi, Lower Haflong, and Diger.
The Indian National Congress (INC) is entering the fray with candidates in all 28 constituencies, featuring 19 new faces in the age group of 30-35 years. Notably, the party has included four female candidates, and for the first time, a candidate from the Gorkha community will represent the INC in the sixth scheduled district. Former MLA and Chief Executive Member (CEM) Samarjit Haflongbar will be contesting from the Daothuhaja constituency.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the ruling party, has nominated candidates in all 28 constituencies, with three being female candidates. Among them, six are new faces, including Rupali Langthasa for Diyungmukh, Dhriti Thaosen for Langting, Monjoy Langthasa for Maibang West, Probita Johari for Mahur, Pronath Rajiyung for Daothuhaja, and Samsing Engti for Garampani.
CEM Debolal Gorlosa will represent the saffron party from the Dehangi constituency, while former CEMs Mohet Hojai and Niranjan Hojai, recently released prisoners after their cases were nullified by the Gauhati High Court, will contest from Maibang West and Hatikali constituencies, respectively.
In the highly populated Haflong constituency, Donpainon Thaosen, the BJP Dima Hasao committee president, will be the party’s candidate. Despite Assam power minister Nandita Gorlosa applying for the party ticket in Gunjung and Maibang East constituencies, she did not secure the nomination.
With voting scheduled from 8 am to 4 pm on January 8, 2024, across 280 polling stations, the NCHAC anticipates a total of 1,41,124 voters, comprising 70,485 males and 70,639 females. Vote counting is scheduled for January 12, 2024.
Established on April 29, 1952, the NCHAC, also known as Dima Hasao Autonomous Council, operates under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. With 30 members, including two nominated from the minority community, the council is presently led by Chief Executive Member Debolal Gorlosa.
Candidates for 13th NCHAC election announced, TMC to field 12 candidates
