Civic issues drive Sonari polls as BJP’s Konwar takes on Cong debutant Utpal; JMM & Independent candidates also in fray

Dibrugarh: The Sonari assembly constituency in Charaideo district is set for a lively four-cornered electoral contest as sitting BJP MLA Dharmeswar Konwar seeks a second consecutive term against Congress newcomer Utpal Gogoi, JMM’s Baldev Tanti and Independent candidate Raju Karuwa, with a clutch of long-pending civic issues casting a shadow over the campaign.Konwar’s 2021 victory was emphatic — he outpolled Congress candidate Sushil Kumar Suri by 15,117 votes, securing 69,690 votes to Suri’s 54,573, with AJP’s Gautom Hatimuria finishing a distant third at 16,799 votes. That commanding margin gives the 55-year-old Konwar a strong base to defend, though a changed opposition and simmering local discontent mean he cannot afford complacency. Congress has shuffled its deck this time, dropping its 2021 candidate and fielding Gogoi (56), a political newcomer who is banking on voter fatigue and unmet promises to make his mark. While his lack of electoral experience is a talking point, Congress leaders believe that the constituency’s unresolved problems give Gogoi a compelling platform to campaign on.“The roads are in terrible condition, the drainage in Sonari town is a persistent nightmare and power cuts are a daily reality for residents. I am not entering this election to make promises — I am here to fix what has been ignored,” Gogoi said, framing his campaign squarely around civic accountability.Konwar, for his part, is campaigning on the BJP’s development record and the advantage of the double-engine govt at the state and central levels. “The double-engine govt has delivered for Assam, and Sonari has not been left behind. There is unfinished work, and I intend to complete it with the same dedication I have shown over the past five years,” the sitting MLA said.Beyond the two principal contestants, JMM’s Tanti (40), a tea tribe leader, could play a role in shaping the outcome if he draws votes from the tea garden worker community — a significant demographic in this part of Charaideo district. Independent candidate Karuwa (50), also from the tea tribe, adds another variable to an already unpredictable contest.Sonari’s political history is deeply rooted in Congress. Of the 11 assembly elections held in the constituency since 1972, Congress has prevailed six times, compared to BJP’s two wins, and one each for AGP, INC (I) and an Independent. The seat’s most dominant figure was Congress stalwart Sarat Borkotoky, who won five elections in succession from 1991 to 2011, making him virtually unassailable for over two decades.That era ended in 2016, when former All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu) general secretary Topon Kumar Gogoi became the first BJP candidate to win from Sonari — a watershed moment for the party in this corner of Assam. Konwar then consolidated that foothold with his 2021 victory.Despite the political milestones, voters on the ground say that basic civic infrastructure continues to lag behind. Poor road connectivity, drinking water shortages in several pockets, an inadequate drainage system in Sonari town, persistent waterlogging, frequent electricity outages and the welfare of tea garden workers are the issues dominating conversations in the run-up to the polls.“We do not care about which party wins. We care about who actually shows up after the election and gets things done,” said Abhijit Gogoi, a resident of Sonari town.With a historically competitive seat, a strong incumbent, a motivated opposition, and a restless electorate, Sonari’s verdict on April 9 will be watched closely as a bellwether of BJP’s hold over Charaideo district.