Guwahati, March 20: Mankachar MLA Aminul Islam has joined the National People’s Party (NPP) and will contest the upcoming Assam Assembly elections from the Mankachar constituency, the party confirmed after releasing its latest candidate list on Thursday. Islam’s move follows his recent resignation from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), signalling a shift in local political alignments ahead of the polls.
The NPP named Aminul Islam among three candidates in the new list, alongside Daniel Langthasa for Haflong (ST) and Ganseng B Sangma for Boko-Chaygaon (ST).
Explaining his decision ahead of the list’s publication, Islam said he consulted widely with his constituents before joining the NPP. “Through the press, I had informed that whatever decision I take will be after speaking to the residents of Mankachar. Accordingly, I came here and held discussions with my workers and people. They clearly told me that my politics should remain aligned with the people and the underprivileged,” he said.
Islam highlighted Mankachar’s distinctive geographic and economic ties with neighbouring Meghalaya, arguing that regional politics are key to addressing local problems. “Nearly 60–70 per cent of the people in Mankachar are directly or indirectly dependent on Meghalaya. We cannot move out of our constituency without passing through Meghalaya, and our livelihood depends on trade and business with the state. Our people are facing difficulties, and to address this, engaging in regional politics is important,” he said.
He added that he had discussed development and connectivity with Conrad Sangma and other Meghalaya leaders, who “have assured support for improving connectivity, unity and development in the constituency and adjoining areas.” Based on those assurances and constituent backing, Islam said he was ready to contest on an NPP ticket.
Islam’s switch, after leaving AIUDF, had sparked speculation about possible moves to other regional or alliance parties, including the Asom Gana Parishad. With defections and realignments continuing across Assam, constituencies such as Mankachar are likely to see tightly contested battles in the forthcoming assembly polls.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/aminul-islam-joins-npp-named-candidate-from-mankachar-after-aiudf-exit-1609674
Category: Assam
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Publish Date: 2026-03-20 18:08:00
