The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced Kushal Dowari as its candidate from the Sivasagar constituency for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, setting up a high-profile contest in a seat that was earlier understood to be allocated to its ally, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).The decision has led to what party leaders are describing as a “friendly contest” between alliance partners, even as it brings multiple experienced faces into the electoral fray. The contest in Sivasagar is now expected to see a triangular fight involving BJP’s Kushal Dowari, AGP’s Pradip Hazarika, and sitting MLA Akhil Gogoi. Political observers say the development reflects a complex situation within the alliance, where both parties appear keen to test their strength on the ground while maintaining overall coordination under the NDA. The outcome in Sivasagar is likely to be closely watched, as it may indicate how alliance dynamics are evolving ahead of the polls.
Kushal Dowari is a known name in Assam politics with a long and varied political career. Born on July 1, 1966, in Sivasagar, he first came into the spotlight in 2006 when he won the Assembly elections as an independent candidate, defeating the Congress nominee. He later joined the BJP and went on to win again in 2016 from the Thowra constituency on a party ticket.Apart from electoral politics, Dowari has also been active in social and organisational work. He has served as the president of Samaj Bikash Manch and is the founder of Nabadeep Samay Bikash Manch, an organisation associated with BJP-linked initiatives. Over the years, he has remained engaged with local issues in Sivasagar and has been seen addressing public concerns even outside formal political roles. On the other hand, AGP candidate Pradip Hazarika brings significant political experience to the contest. He has been elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly multiple times, winning from the Amguri constituency in 1985, 1996, 2006, and 2016. His long presence in state politics and established support base are expected to make the contest more competitive.
Sitting MLA Akhil Gogoi, who represents Sivasagar, is also a strong contender with his own support base. His presence adds another dimension to the election, making Sivasagar one of the key constituencies to watch in the upcoming polls. With three prominent candidates in the race, the Sivasagar contest is shaping up to be closely fought. While BJP and AGP leaders have termed it a friendly contest, the ground reality is likely to see an intense campaign as each candidate seeks to secure voter support in a politically significant constituency.