Guwahati, March 20 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led a procession here on Friday before submitting his nomination papers for the Jalukbari assembly constituency.
The procession began from the Veterinary Field in the Khanapara area, heading towards the Kamrup (Metropolitan) District Election office, which is about 5.6 km away. Himanta was at the head of the procession, with his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, son Nandil Biswa Sarma, and BJP's Gauhati Lok Sabha MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi by his side.
Before setting out to file the papers, the chief minister sought the blessings of his mother, Mrinalini Devi.
"Important occasions should always begin with one's mother's blessings. Although I don't get to spend much time with her these days, her blessings always motivate me to continue serving Assam," Sarma said in a post on X.
Despite heavy overnight and early morning rains, a large crowd of people, mostly from his constituency, had gathered at the field since early morning.
In another post earlier in the day, he said, "I invite everyone to join the rally from the Khanapara Veterinary Field to the DC Office, Kamrup (M), as I file my nomination for the #AssamElections2026. Your blessings will empower my journey and inspire me to carry forward the responsibility entrusted by the people of Assam."
Sarma has represented Jalukbari under the Gauhati Lok Sabha constituency since 2001, and he will be contesting to retain it for the sixth consecutive term in the upcoming elections.
He first contested this seat in 1996 as a Congress candidate, losing to the late AGP leader Bhrigu Kumar Phukan by 17,000 votes, but he wrested the seat from him in 2001, winning by a margin of 10,000 votes.
Sarma's winning streak continued, and the victory margin kept increasing in each election, culminating in a record win of 1,01,000 in 2021. He joined the BJP in 2015.
The last date for filing of nomination papers is March 23, the scrutiny of papers will be held the next day, and the last date of withdrawal is March 26.
Elections to the 126-member assembly will be held on April 9, and the votes will be counted on May 4.