On the eve of Assam assembly elections, Congress candidate Suren Daimari from Udalguri constituency announced on Wednesday that he has stepped down from the party and withdrawn from the contest, alleging lack of support. His name will still appear on electronic voting machines.
Suren Daimari, the 73-year-old Congress candidate for Udalguri, said he joined the party in January this year. "Congress has been weak in Udalguri for years so I thought I would make it strong. I did not seek a ticket at first, but I got it," he stated. He accused the party of not providing help from the district office, workers, or sufficient campaign funds.
"I wanted to strengthen Congress in Udalguri but they did not give me any help. Feeling hurt, I have stepped down today," Daimari told reporters. He claimed the party betrayed him with no communication or support from leadership after nomination.
A Congress leader downplayed the exit, noting Daimari has not sent an official resignation. "Since we did not have a realistic expectation on that seat, it was low in the party’s priorities and that might have upset the candidate," the leader said. An election official confirmed that with the March 26 withdrawal deadline passed, Daimari’s name remains on EVMs.
Udalguri, an ST-reserved constituency in Bodoland Territorial Region, sees the main contest between United People’s Party Liberal’s Dipen and Bodoland People’s Front’s Rihon Daimary.
