Guwahati/New Delhi, March 19 The BJP on Thursday released its first list of 88 candidates for the Assam Assembly polls, fielding Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from the Jalukbari seat.
Sarma will contest from the Jalukbari constituency in a bid to retain it for the sixth consecutive term.
Sitting BJP MP Hitendra Nath Goswami has been fielded against Gaurav Gogoi, president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, from the Jorhat Assembly constituency.
Congress leaders Pradyut Bordoloi and Bhupen Borah, who recently joined the BJP, will contest from Dispur and Bihpuria, respectively.
Cabinet ministers who will contest from their current seats are Ajanta Neog from Golaghat, Education minister Ranoj Pegu from Dhemaji (ST), Rupesh Gowala from Doomdooma, Binal Borah from Tingkhon, Pijush Hazarika from Jagiroad (SC), Jayanta Malla Baruah from Nalbari, Ashok Singhal from Dhekiajuli, Krishendu Paul from Patharkandi and Kaushik Rai from Lakhipur.
Among those whose constituencies have changed are Speaker Biswajit Daimary from Panery to Tamulpur (ST), ministers Chandramohan Patowary from Dharmapur to Tihu and Ranjeet Kumar Dass from Pathacharkuchi to Bhowanipur-Sorbhog.
Sports minister Nandita Garlosa, representing Haflong (ST), has been replaced by Rupali Langthasa, while Deputy speaker Numal Momin, representing Bokajan (ST), has been replaced by Surjya Rongphar.
The BJP's Central Election Committee finalized the first list of candidates at its meeting presided over by party president Nitin Nabin here on Wednesday evening.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other members of the BJP poll body.
BJP Assam unit chief Dilip Saikia and the CM were also present at the meeting.
Polling for 126 assembly constituencies will be held on April 9, while counting will be on May 4.