Setback to BJP: 16 organisations join hands with Congress in Diphu

In a major breakthrough ahead of 2^nd phase LS polls in Autonomous district (Diphu), 16 organizations including CPI (ML), Hill State Democratic Council (HSDC), Karbi Nimso Chingthur Asong (KNCA), KNA of the constituency extended immense support to Congress candidate Biren Singh Engti.

Opposing the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, the organizations have decided to support the Congress party in the coming LS polls. The Autonomous District has over seven lakh electors and often has a rather tense political situation.

The constituency will cast its vote in the 2019 election on April 18.

Horen Sing Bey of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Biren Singh Engti of the Indian National Congress, Lienkhochon of the National People's Party and Holiram Terang of the Autonomous State Demand Committee are some of the prominent names that will contest the Lok Sabha election 2019 from Autonomous District Lok Sabha constituency in Assam.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Congress' Biren Singh Engti secured a win by defeating BJP's Joyram Engleng by a little over 24,000 votes. The voter turnout here was 77.43 per cent.

Even in 2009, Engti had emerged successful by defeating candidates from ASDC and BJP. The voter turnout that year was 69.40 per cent.

This constituency covers two autonomous districts – Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong – and is reserved for members of the Scheduled Tribe. The tribes present here include Karbi, Dimasa, Kuki, Biate, Hmar, Naga – among others.

The Autonomous District Lok Sabha constituency covers five assembly segments – Haflong (ST), Bokajan (ST), Howraghat (ST), Diphu (ST) and Baithalangso (ST).