Political Desk: In the current political scenario, intense discussions have begun surrounding Batadrava MLA Sibamoni Bora (Sibamoni Bora Dhing Seat). The question now being widely raised in political circles is whether the MLA, who had won from the Nagaon Batadrava constituency on a Congress ticket with a huge margin in the 2021 Assembly elections, is hesitant to contest again from her old stronghold in the upcoming election?
Recently, the Congress party completed its application process for aspiring candidates, and an unexpected development has come to light. Instead of seeking candidature from her present constituency, Batadrava, MLA Sibamoni Bora has applied to contest from the minority-dominated Dhing Assembly constituency. Not only on paper, she has already begun preliminary election activities in certain areas of Dhing. However, this decision has reportedly created strong dissatisfaction among grassroots Congress workers in the Dhing constituency.
Why has Sibamoni Bora shifted her focus from Batadrava to Dhing?
Several significant reasons are being discussed regarding the MLA’s decision to change constituencies. Over the past five years, it is alleged that she became disconnected from the general public of the constituency and gave importance to only a select group of individuals, resulting in a strong anti-incumbency wave against her. Many dedicated workers who had worked tirelessly for her in the previous election now reportedly feel neglected and dissatisfied. A considerable decline in popularity, along with geographical changes caused by constituency delimitation, is said to have added to her concerns. It may be noted that after delimitation, most of the minority-dominated gram panchayats of the old Batadrava constituency have been included in the Dhing constituency, while the majority-dominated gram panchayats have remained in Nagaon Batadrava. Therefore, it is being speculated that she may be looking toward Dhing in search of a comparatively safer seat.
Meanwhile, some observers have sensed a deeper political calculation behind this move. At one point, there were also discussions about her possibly joining the BJP. The BJP has often attempted to portray Congress as a “party of minorities” for electoral gains in Upper Assam. Now, if Sibamoni Bora contests from the minority-dominated Dhing constituency, questions are being raised as to whether that “minority label” attached to Congress may become more pronounced. Grassroots Congress workers in Dhing have expressed concern that this could indirectly make the BJP’s political calculations easier. According to them, such a move may instead strengthen the prospects of the AIUDF, which has held the Dhing constituency since 2006, potentially leading to a revival of the Ajmal camp there.
What political challenges this decision may pose for the party remains to be seen.
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