Two nominations cancelled in Assam, 52 still in fray

Nominations of two candidates were rejected today during scrutiny of papers of 54 contenders for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Assam in five parliamentary constituencies.
The constituencies going to polls on April 7 are Tezpur, where 11 candidates had filed their nominations, Kaliabor with 13 candidates, Jorhat and Dibrugarh with 8 each and Lakhimpur with 14 aspirants.
"The nomination of Diten Saikia of AAP for Tezpur seat has been cancelled due to incomplete form. He did not fill up the section for political affiliation. He even did not fill it up properly to contest as an independent," Sonitpur DC cum Returning Officer Lalit Gogoi told PTI.

With his cancellation of papers, 10 candidates now remain in the contest, he added.
Similarly in Dibrugarh, the candidature of Aam Aadmi Party's Tapan Sutbanshi was also rejected, the Election Officer of the district Biswajit Phukan said.
Election Commission officials in Jorhat, Lakhimpur and Kaliabor said all the nominations of the respective constituencies were found to valid.

Last date for withdrawal of nominations is March 24.
Among the prominent candidates who have filed their nominations include the two Union ministers from the state -- Paban Singh Ghatowar from Dibrugarh and Ranee Narah from Lakhimpur seats.
Controversial former Congress MP Moni Kumar Subba also filed his papers as an independent from Tezpur after being rejected a ticket by the party.