A significant press conference was held today at the headquarters of the Assam Pradesh Trinamool Congress in Panjabari, Guwahati, to discuss the party’s electoral strategy and candidate selection for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency by-election.
The press conference was addressed by MLA and State Convenor of the Assam Pradesh Trinamool Congress, Sherman Ali Ahmed. During the conference, he formally announced that the party high command has nominated Abdul Salam, former Vice-Principal of Dhing College and a prominent educationist, as the Trinamool Congress candidate for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election.
Elaborating on the principles behind the candidate-selection process and the party’s political approach, MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed said, “We have entered the electoral arena not for any personal interest, but to fight for the comprehensive rights and justice of the common people. Every dedicated Trinamool Congress worker remains prepared and committed to serving the people. Therefore, the party high command has selected a deserving candidate through a specific, transparent and rigorous process.”
Highlighting the candidate’s qualifications, he further said, “To effectively raise the voice of the people in Parliament, we needed a highly educated, honest, committed and clean-image individual who could clearly present the pressing issues of the state in Hindi or English. Abdul Salam, former Vice-Principal of Dhing College, is fully qualified in every respect to represent the people of Nagaon.”
According to party sources, the name of Amlesh Medhi had also been under consideration for the candidature. Amlesh, a former naval engineer, reportedly has several criminal cases against him. Although he has financial resources, he is a Hindu and is a resident of Morigaon. Sherman Ali Ahmed is said to have argued within the party that a Muslim candidate would be a more suitable choice for Nagaon. Following these deliberations, Abdul Salam’s name was finalised.
Strongly criticising both the Central and State governments, the State Convenor said, “At present, our state, like the rest of the country, is suffering from the corruption, anti-people policies and misgovernance of the BJP government. At the same time, the Congress, as the principal opposition party, has completely failed to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people. As a result, people today are looking for a credible and uncompromising alternative to both the BJP and the Congress.”
He added, “In this Nagaon by-election, the Trinamool Congress will emerge as that strong alternative for the people. Burning issues such as unemployment, floods and erosion, rising prices and the basic rights of the common people will be the principal driving forces of our electoral campaign.”
Several senior leaders of the Assam Pradesh Trinamool Congress, along with party workers and supporters, were present at the press conference.