GUWAHATI: In a significant political shift ahead of the Assam assembly elections, the BJP has fielded Rupali Langthasa from the Haflong seat, replacing sitting MLA and former minister Nandita Gorlosa, who has since joined the Congress.Rupali Langthasa is relatively new to mainstream electoral politics but has been steadily building her presence in local governance. She currently serves as an executive member in charge of higher education in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), a key administrative body in Assam’s Dima Hasao district.Grassroots entry through council pollsLangthasa began her political journey through council elections, where she won from the Diyungbra constituency on a BJP ticket. Her rise within the party structure has been marked by growing influence at the grassroots level, particularly in the hill district.Political observers said Gorlosa’s exclusion reflects deep-rooted internal rifts, particularly her reported differences with North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) chief executive member Debolal Gorlosa. The rivalry, sources said, had been brewing for years and had created visible fault lines within the district unit.BJP’s strategic moveThe BJP’s decision to replace a sitting minister with a first-time assembly aspirant is being viewed as a calculated move by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Analysts say the party is attempting to balance internal factions and manage dissent by introducing new faces rather than favouring established leaders.Political fallout and transitionFollowing the denial of a ticket, Nandita Gorlosa exited the BJP and joined the Congress, adding a dramatic twist to the Haflong contest. Meanwhile, the BJP leadership has backed Langthasa as a fresh face capable of consolidating support in the region.Assam pollsAssam assembly elections voting for the 126-member assembly is set to take place in a single phase on April 9. The counting of votes will be held on May 4.This time, Assam — the largest state in the Northeast — will go to the polls in one phase, compared with the three-phase election held in 2021.The election is expected to draw close attention as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) looks to secure a third consecutive term under chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while the Congress aims to regain political ground under state unit chief Gaurav Gogoi, son of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi.In the current 126-member Assam assembly, the BJP holds 64 seats, while its allies include the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) with nine MLAs, the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) with seven, and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) with three.The Congress has 26 MLAs, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) holds 15 seats, and the CPI(M) has one MLA. The House also has one Independent legislator.
