Dhubri: For the first time since Independence, Congress has fielded a woman candidate from Dhubri — Baby Begum.Begum, in her 40s and a BA graduate, currently serves as a councillor in the Dhubri Zila Parishad. She has held various posts in the party’s women’s wings for decades.The announcement by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Thursday sparked ripples among district party workers, leading to heated exchanges between opposition leader Debabrata Saikia and a section of workers — clips of which went viral on social media.Speaking to TOI about her prospects in Dhubri, a seat lost to the AIUDF in 2006 and never regained, Begum expressed confidence. “This time, the game will be different. We will take back the seat from AIUDF after 20 years of the party’s lean phase,” she said.She said being the first woman candidate from Dhubri fills her with pride. Having served two terms as Zila Parishad councillor, she said she understands the pulse of both men and women in the constituency, and that support for her is strong.Historically, Dhubri was a Congress stronghold since 1950. Even during the rise of AGP in 1985, Congress retained the seat. However, it lost to BJP’s Dhruba Kumar Sen in 1991, regained it in 1996 and 2001, but suffered setbacks from 2006 onward with the rise of AIUDF.Meanwhile, Jibesh Ray, chairperson of the Kamtapur Autonomous Council, has been nominated by AGP from Bilasipara LAC in Dhubri district. Ray received a warm reception from party workers at Bahalpur Chapor and Bilasipara.
