Kokrajhar, Feb. 12: AICC observer for Assam Nabam Tuki said here today that the selection of candidates and constituencies would be done solely by the party high command as the candidates made a case for themselves.

“As an observer I am here to meet aspiring candidates from Kokrajhar district and to assess whether there is any suitable Congress candidate. I have met all aspiring candidates and have received their applications. These will be sent to the party high command for their appropriate decision,” Tuki said.

On the party fielding candidates in the BTC area and its ties with the BPF, he said, “The party will decide. It is my duty to meet the candidates and prepare for the elections. It will depend on party policy. We are prepared for the contest. As for political decisions, I can’t say much.”

Seven aspiring candidates, one each from 28-Gossaiagon LAC, 29-Kokrajhar (West) LAC and 33-Bijni LAC and two each from 30-Kokrajhar (East) LAC and 31-Sidli LAC, submitted applications to Tuki.

The ticket-seekers include the convener of BTC Congress coordination committee and president of Chirang district Congress committee Supriya Rani Brahma from Sidli LAC, BTC member from Srirampur Cristotom Tudu, Adivasi Cobra Militant Assam chairman Xabrias Khakka alias Ashim Hasda, ACMA commander-in-chief Kanhu Murmu from Gossaigaon LAC and BTC member from Turibari Khalirul Rehman, who is seeking ticket from Bijni LAC.

Brahma hoped that the party high command won’t disappoint them this time by fielding party candidates from the BTC areas. “We are confident that the party high command will field Congress candidates this time,” she said.

Khakka said as a militant leader, he should get priority for Gossaigaon seat. He said the existing BPF MLA had not done much for his Adivasi community and he wants to contest the seat to safeguard his people and constituency.

Tudu said the people had elected him from Srirampur, and it was their wish that he contested the Assembly elections from Gossaigaon.

Tuki also met district and grassroots party leaders at Kokrajhar circuit house.

Congress leader and Assam health minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on a visit to Kokrajhar last Wednesday, had said the party would field candidates in all 126 constituencies. He, however, had urged BPF to remain within the BTC area, indicating that the Congress was planning to contest in BTC areas. The BTC districts have 12 LACs.

On the other hand, BTC chief and BPF president Hagrama Mohilary said the party would field candidates in 25 constituencies.