Two NDA Candidates Elected Unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Assam
India’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured both Rajya Sabha seats from Assam without any contest as BJP’s Kanad Purkayastha and Asom Gana Parishad’s (AGP) Birendra Prasad Baishya were declared elected unopposed. The outcome follows the close of nominations on June 12, with no opposition party stepping forward to field candidates.
Kanad Purkayastha, son of former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha and currently the BJP state secretary, will be stepping into parliamentary affairs for the first time. Hailing from the Barak Valley region, his elevation is seen as part of BJP’s strategy to broaden its support base among Bengali-speaking communities.
Birendra Prasad Baishya, a seasoned parliamentarian and former Union Minister, secured his third term in the Upper House. With a prior stint in the Lok Sabha and a term in the Rajya Sabha, he brings both experience and continuity. His unopposed election reflects the growing strength of the AGP within the NDA alliance.
The lack of opposition candidates stems from the inability of non-NDA parties to muster enough support within the state legislature. Congress, in particular, faced internal challenges and lost effective strength when five of its MLAs were suspended during the nomination period. Analysts say this facilitated an uncontested path for the NDA nominees.
Assam holds seven Rajya Sabha seats in total, with four occupied by BJP representatives, one by AGP, one by UPPL, and one by an Independent member. The two seats becoming vacant on June 14—vacated by Birendra Prasad Baishya and BJP’s Ranjan Das—were promptly filled through this consensus process.
State leaders from BJP and AGP publicly endorsed the candidates on the nomination day. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, BJP state president Dilip Saikia, and AGP President Atul Bora all attended the filing ceremony. Their presence underscored the alliance’s unified front and intent to elevate Assam’s voice in national policymaking.
Supporters claim the uncontested election signals efficient consensus-building within the NDA and smoother legislative representation for Assam. Detractors, however, point to weakening political competition and diminished opposition oversight in the state’s parliamentary selection process.
As both Kanad Purkayastha and Birendra Prasad Baishya prepare to assume their roles in the Upper House from late July, observers expect them to focus on Assam-centric matters such as regional development, infrastructural investment, flood control, and issues facing the Barak Valley. Their contributions, aligned with central government priorities, are anticipated to reinforce the NDA’s legislative agenda for the region.
