BJP to fight in 4 Muslim-majority seats in Assam

GUWAHATI: NDA will fight 12 Muslim majority seats in lower Assam, where migrant Muslims form the biggest group. BJP will field four candidates from the minority community in Jania, Jaleswar, Baghbar and Salmara South seats.


These seats have always been a stronghold of Congress or

AIUDF

and BJP was routed in all of them in the 2016 assembly election. While Jania has about 60% Muslim population, the percentage is about 90% in Jaleswar, 95% in Baghbar and 60% in Salmara South.

BJP leaders believe that migrant Muslims will lean towards the party in this election as they have benefited from government schemes in the state.

In an unrelated development, Raijor Dal said its chief

Akhil Gogoi

will withdraw his nomination from Mariani and contest only from

Sivasagar

.