BJP Names Candidates for Assam Rajya Sabha By-Polls

The BJP has nominated Mission Ranjan Das and former Union minister Rameswar Teli for the Rajya Sabha by-polls in Assam. The by-elections are due to seats vacated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP's Kamakhya Prasad Tasa. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma endorsed their nominations on social media.

The BJP on Tuesday confirmed Mission Ranjan Das and former Union minister Rameswar Teli as its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-polls in Assam.

The by-elections became necessary after Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP's Kamakhya Prasad Tasa vacated their seats upon election to the Lok Sabha.

Das, currently serving as the chairman of Assam State Transport Corporation, is a four-time BJP MLA from Karimganj North.

Teli, notable for his association with the tea-tribe community, served as the Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, and for Labour and Employment in the second Narendra Modi government. He was initially elected from the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency in 2014 but was succeeded by Sonowal in 2024.

A list of 10 potential candidates was submitted by the state BJP to the party's Parliamentary Board for consideration.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the nominations on social media, stating, ''I've had the privilege of working closely with Shri Mission Ranjan Das and Shri @Rameswar_Teli, who are both exemplary choices to represent Assam in the Rajya Sabha elections. Their commitment to society and the organization is commendable.'' Sarma also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President JP Nadda for the nominations.

Assam has a total of seven seats in the Rajya Sabha, with six currently held by the NDA, which includes four seats for BJP and one each for allies AGP and UPPL. The remaining seat is represented by an Independent MP.