Guwahati: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its first list of 88 candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, prominently featuring former Congress leaders who recently switched sides.

Among them is Pradyut Bordoloi, a sitting Lok Sabha MP who joined the BJP earlier this week in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Bordoloi has been fielded from Dispur after ending his long association with the Congress.

Another key defector, former Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah, will contest from Bihpuria. A two-time MLA, Borah had previously lost the seat to BJP candidates in the last two elections and is now seeking a comeback under the BJP banner.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to contest again from his traditional Jalukbari constituency. Other prominent candidates include BJP minister Pijush Hazarika from Jagiroad, Rupali Langthasa from Haflong, and Prasanta Phukan from Dibrugarh.

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In Jorhat, sitting MLA Hitendra Nath Goswami will defend his seat against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, setting up a high-profile contest.

Meanwhile, Prateek Bordoloi has withdrawn his candidacy from the Margherita constituency following his father Pradyut Bordoloi’s move to the BJP. In a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, he said continuing as a candidate could create confusion about his political position and commitment to the party.

The developments come as Assam gears up for Assembly elections across all 126 constituencies in a single phase on 9 April, with counting scheduled for 4 May, according to the Election Commission of India.