GUWAHATI: The BJP in Assam has retained the Dhemaji seat, the by-election results of which were declared on Thursday. BJP candidate Ranoj Pegu defeated his nearest rival, Babul Sonowal of the Congress by 9,285 votes.
Ranoj Pegu polled 75,217 votes as against Babul Sonowal’s 65,932. Altogether, five candidates were in the fray.
The by-election was necessitated following sitting MLA Pradan Barua’s election to Lok Sabha from the Lakhimpur seat.
A euphoric Ranoj Pegu later told reporters that his victory was testimony to people’s faith and trust in the BJP.
“I extend my gratitude to the people of Dhemaji and Assam. My victory goes to prove their trust and faith in the BJP and the party-led State government,” he said.
The polls were a prestige issue for the Congress, which ruled the State for three terms until being ousted by the BJP in 2016. In the run-up to the polls, the BJP had gone all guns blazing, engaging most of its stalwarts.
The tribals have a sizeable population in the Dhemaji seat and Ranoj Pegu is a seasoned politician, who is also influential among tribals. In contrast, Babul Sonowal is diminutive, both in terms of experience and influence.