The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its first list of 88 candidates for the Assam Assembly elections on Thursday, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma set to contest from Jalukbari once again. In a notable development, former Congress Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who joined the BJP just a day earlier, has been fielded from Dispur.

BJP Fields Key Names in Assam Polls

The announcement came after the party's Central Election Committee met in New Delhi on Wednesday, chaired by senior leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The list covers 88 seats, with the remaining allocated to allies Asom Gana Parishad (26 seats) and Bodoland People's Front (11 seats) under the NDA arrangement.

Himanta Biswa Sarma's retention of Jalukbari reinforces his position as the face of the BJP campaign in Assam. Sources close to the party indicated the selection aims to consolidate support in urban and semi-urban areas ahead of the single-phase polling on April 9.

Bordoloi's Switch Boosts BJP Prospects

Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from Congress on Tuesday night, citing constant humiliation and isolation within the party. He formally joined the BJP on Wednesday in New Delhi, in the presence of Himanta Biswa Sarma and Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia. Bordoloi's nomination from Dispur, a key Guwahati constituency, signals the BJP's strategy to attract disgruntled Congress leaders and strengthen its hold in the capital region.

The move triggered immediate fallout, with Bordoloi's son, Congress candidate Prateek Bordoloi, withdrawing from the Margherita seat shortly after the announcement.

Kerala List Adds Momentum to BJP Campaign

Separately, the BJP released its second list of 39 candidates for the Kerala Assembly elections, taking the total announced so far to 125 (following an initial list of 86, though reports confirm the first was 47, with adjustments in subsequent updates). The party is pushing aggressively in the state, where it has historically struggled but shown incremental gains.

Key figures from the earlier list include state president and former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom, along with other prominent names like K Surendran and V Muraleedharan. The latest additions aim to cover remaining constituencies for the April 9 single-phase polls.

Tharoor Rules Out CM Ambitions

Amid speculation in Kerala, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor clarified he is not in the race for chief minister. Speaking to reporters, he said he would not contest the elections and that the CM should be chosen from elected MLAs after results. Tharoor emphasised his focus on campaigning statewide to bolster the UDF's prospects, predicting the front could win 85-100 seats.

Criminal Cases in Kerala Assembly Raise Concerns

A fresh report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Kerala Election Watch flagged serious issues in the current Kerala Assembly. Nearly 70 per cent of sitting MLAs (92 out of 132 analysed) declared criminal cases against themselves. Of these, 33 face serious charges, including murder and attempt to murder.

The analysis also revealed over half the MLAs are crorepatis, highlighting the influence of wealth in state politics. Officials noted the findings underscore the need for greater transparency as voters prepare for the upcoming polls.

Other Developments in Poll-Bound States

In Tamil Nadu, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) faces an internal split. The faction led by Anbumani Ramadoss has aligned with the AIADMK-led NDA, while talks continue with the rival group under GK Mani. A final decision is expected soon.

The Election Commission has deployed 1,111 central observers across the five poll-bound states and Puducherry, enforcing zero tolerance on violence and booth capturing. Large-scale transfers of officials have been ordered to ensure a level playing field.

With nominations underway and campaigns intensifying, the BJP's candidate announcements mark a key step in its strategy for Assam and Kerala. Political watchers expect more defections and alliance tweaks in the coming days as parties finalise preparations for the April 9 voting in these states.