Within the four-party alliance of the CPI, CPM(M), UPPA and AGP, the AGP is lobbying to get its candidate nominated for the seat. In the last elections, AGP candidate and former union minister Birendra Prasad Baishya suffered a massive defeat in the hands of Congress (I) candidate Madhav Rajbongshi.

This year Baishya will have to face a tough time in the Mongaldoi parliamentary constituency as Durgadar Boro, chairman, Statefed and Zoii Nath Sarma, minister of revenue and Paban Kumar Bhuyan, district party secretary, are vying for the seat.

As alleged by a section of the party workers Baishay had failed to visit some of remote areas during the last flood. They have also expressed their deep resentment against him on this point. Politicals observers also think that the candidature of Baishya will help rival Congress. However, talking to our correspondent, a veteran AGP leader said that in case Baishya is opposed, he will be accommodated in another constituency, may be in Tezpur.

Meanwhile addressing a public gathering in Rangiya recently, Madhav Rajbonshi said that he is sure to get ticket again for this seat as in his short-term tenure as an MP he had visited most of the rural areas of the constituency and won support from a cross-section of people. But it would be worth mentioning that last time he was severely criticised for his failure to utilise funds of the MP's Local Area Development Scheme in time. Other prominent aspirants for the seat are former chief minister Syeda Anwara Taimur, former MP Prabin Deka Mridula Saharia and Suren Barua.

Political observers, however, feel that neither the AGP nor the BJP has the chance of winning the confidence of the Muslim voters of the constituency. This seat has always been a stronghold of the Congress. Out of the 10 assembly constituencies under Mongaldoi, seven are held by the AGP, one by the Congress and others two by the People's Democratic Front (PDF). The AGP had to be content with the third position in the last election.

According to reports the PDF, which has two MLAs in Darrang, is likely to project Anjali Daimary, chairman, Bodo Women's Justice Forum, as its candidate.