Guwahati, March 23: The Bharatiya Janata Party has named Kushal Dowari as its candidate from the Sivasagar constituency, setting the stage for a high-profile electoral contest against sitting MLA Akhil Gogoi in the upcoming Assembly elections.
The decision assumes significance as the seat was earlier allotted to ally Asom Gana Parishad under the NDA’s seat-sharing arrangement. The development has introduced a triangular dynamic in the constituency, with BJP’s Dowari, AGP’s Pradip Hazarika, and Akhil Gogoi all in the fray, potentially testing both alliance coordination and individual political influence.
Dowari, born on July 1, 1966, in Sivasagar, has had a varied political trajectory. He first gained prominence after winning the 2006 Assembly elections as an Independent candidate by defeating the Congress. He later returned to the Assembly in 2016, securing victory from Thowra on a BJP ticket.
Apart from electoral politics, Dowari has remained active in social initiatives, having served as president of Samaj Bikash Manch and as founder of Nabadeep Samay Bikash Manch, an organisation associated with BJP-linked activities. He has also been engaged in addressing local issues in Sivasagar beyond formal political roles.
AGP’s Pradip Hazarika adds further weight to the contest with his extensive electoral experience, having been elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly multiple times from Amguri in 1985, 1996, 2006, and 2016.
With three prominent candidates representing different political alignments, the Sivasagar seat is emerging as one of the most closely watched contests in the state, reflecting shifting equations within alliances and the broader electoral landscape in Assam.
