Cong readies 3rd candidate list as Gaurav signals wider contest

Guwahati: Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Monday said the party has prepared a third list of candidates, signalling that Congress may still move toward contesting 100 of the state’s 126 assembly seats, even as tensions sharpen with ally-aspirant Raijor Dal.The Congress-led five-party alliance has already announced candidates for 80 constituencies. Of these, Congress is set to contest 65 seats, while its allies will fight the remaining 15.With alliance talks with Raijor Dal stalled, Gaurav said the final decision would rest with the Congress high command. The remark came after Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi took a swipe at Congress earlier in the day, accusing it of preparing for the 2031 election instead of the 2026 polls.

“Congress declared 2 lists of candidates already when AGP and BJP could not publish any list. Some cards need to be kept secret. Our third list is ready, but let’s wait for some time. Why should we only keep declaring seats,” Gaurav said on Monday.He added that the party was trying to project a fresh face before voters. “We gave tickets to lots of new candidates who never faced an assembly election before. We want to present a new Congress party to the people of Assam,” he added.

Gaurav continued his organisational push in North Assam on Monday, campaigning in the Gohpur, Bihpuria and Ranganadi constituencies.In Gohpur, he was joined by former APCC president Ripun Bora and candidate Shankarjyoti Kutum. In Bihpuria, he campaigned with candidate Narayan (Ram) Bhuyan, and in Ranganadi with candidate Jayanta Khaound. Senior vice-president Ghana Burhagohain, APCC general secretary Jayprakash Das and Udit Bhanu Das were also present.During the tour, Gaurav also raised the issue of the “poor state of infrastructure at Zubeen Khetra”, associated with singer Zubeen Garg.“There were many complaints from people regarding the infrastructure there,” he said, adding that if a Congress govt is formed, the work would be completed within three months.He added that as long as Himanta Biswa Sarma remains chief minister, singer Zubeen Garg will not get justice.