Silchar: BJP-led alliance and Congress held rallies in Silchar on Friday as candidates filed nominations for the municipal corporation election.In a colourful political spectacle, candidates and supporters marched down the city streets with party flags and posters in a show of strength.BJP candidates from different wards assembled at the Silchar DSA ground before marching to Govt Boys’ Higher Secondary School, the designated nomination centre. Two state ministers, legislators, senior party leaders and workers joined the procession.According to party sources, 38 BJP candidates filed nominations. Four candidates from ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) also entered the fray, taking the ruling alliance’s total to 42 candidates for the corporation’s 42 wards.Congress candidates and supporters gathered at the party’s district office before marching through parts of the town to the nomination centre. District Congress president Sajal Acharya, Abhijit Paul, Atanu Bhattacharjee and other leaders joined the procession. Candidates later filed their papers in phases before the returning officers.The rallies brought political activity to several parts of Silchar as the nomination process ended.With Congress and the BJP-AGP alliance contesting all 42 wards, the election will determine control of Silchar’s first municipal corporation.Polling will be held on Oct 3 and counting on Oct 6. The election is the first since the erstwhile Silchar Municipal Board was upgraded to a municipal corporation nearly four years ago.
