Heavyweights put on mat by former rebels

Guwahati: At least six out of nine former guerrillas of outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom and now-disbanded Bodo Liberation Tigers, who contested on BJP, AGP and BPF tickets, won seats in the Assam assembly, defeating political heavyweights. Some of them are likely to find a place in the new ministry.
Bhaskar Sharma, a former Ulfa rebel who became a major talking point after being given a ticket by BJP because of his alleged links to the controversial 'secret killings' in the state, defeated Congress minister Pradyut Bordoloi in Margherita by a margin of over 22,000 votes."I am happy to get the opportunity to serve my people," said a jubilant Sharma.
In Thowra constituency, Kushal Dowari, managed to beat Congress MLA Sushanta Borgohain but by a slender margin of 1,226 votes.
Chandan Brahma, former transport minister from Bodoland People's Front (BPF), a BJP ally, is also a former rebel from Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT). He secured his seat for the third time from Sidli. Another ex-BLT rebel, Maneswar Brahma, won in Barama.
Congress had fielded former Ulfa rebel Suresh Bora for the second time in Barhampur against former CM Prafulla Kumar Mahanta of AGP but he failed to make a mark. Congress's candidate from Dudhnai Sib Charan Basumatary, a former BLT militant who had won in 2011, also lost.
AGP, too, had fielded former Ulfa member Jayanta Khaund in Naoboicha but he lost the battle miserably.