Diplu Ranjan Sarma, a prominent youth leader in Assam’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is the party’s candidate for the Samaguri Assembly bypoll, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest.
For more than two decades, Congress leader Rakibul Hussain held Samaguri firmly under his influence, establishing himself as one of Assam’s most significant Muslim leaders. Recently, Hussain strengthened his political stature by defeating AIUDF chief Badaruddin Ajmal by a margin of over 10 lakh votes in Dhubri, Ajmal’s own political stronghold.
With Rakibul Hussain now focused on his parliamentary role, the responsibility of preserving his family’s legacy in Samaguri has passed to his son, Tanzil Hussain. This bypoll represents a generational shift in Samaguri, as Tanzil aims to build on the foundations laid by his father and grandfather.
Many expected Tanzil to maintain the Hussain family’s influence in this predominantly Muslim constituency. However, Diplu Ranjan Sarma has emerged as a compelling challenger. Already an established figure within Assam BJP’s youth, Sarma has not only solidified support from BJP loyalists but is also attracting considerable attention from Muslim voters.
Large turnouts from this community at his rallies hint at a potential shift in voter sentiment within the constituency, posing a direct challenge to the traditional loyalties associated with the Hussain family.
As the bypoll approaches, Samaguri faces an intense contest. The key question is whether Sarma’s broad appeal can translate into votes strong enough to disrupt the Hussain legacy, or if Tanzil Hussain will uphold his family’s dominance in Samaguri. The election outcome could redefine the political landscape, with implications extending beyond the constituency itself.
