BJP names Kanad Purkayastha its candidate for Assam Rajya Sabha polls

Guwahati: The BJP on Saturday announced that the party's Assam state secretary Kanad Purkayastha will be its candidate for the Rajya Sabha election from the state.

Congratulating him on the candidature, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the party's state president Dilip Saikia hoped that Purkayastha would be able to fulfill the aspirations of the people.

A release said the party's central election committee has approved the candidature of Purkayastha.

A party leader from Barak Valley, Purkayastha is the son of veteran BJP leader and former Union minister Kabindra Purkayastha.

Elections for two Rajya Sabha seats in Assam are scheduled on June 19, with counting of votes to take place the same day.

The BJP had earlier announced that it will field a candidate for one of the seats, leaving the other for its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).

The two seats that are being vacated were held by BJP and AGP, with the two parties looking set to retain it.

Congratulating Purkayastha, Sarma said in a post on X, "As a dedicated and old karyakarta of the party, I am confident that he will take forward the aspirations of the people of Assam in the Upper House with great zeal."

Saikia, also in a post on the social media, said, "Congratulations to Shri @kanadpurkaystha on being nominated as BJP's Rajya Sabha candidate from Assam."

"May his journey ahead be marked by impactful service and steadfast commitment to the people," he added.