Assam: BJP Workers Urge Party Chief to Deny Ticket to Digboi MLA Suren Phukan Ahead of 2026 Polls

GUWAHATI: The senior members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who work in the Digboi Assembly constituency of Assam have submitted a petition to state party president Dilip Saikia asking him to refuse electoral nomination for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections to sitting MLA Suren Phukan.

The letter, dated February 18, 2026, has reportedly been signed by several senior party workers, former Mandal presidents, Mandal office-bearers and former panchayat representatives from the Digboi, Tingrai and Buridehing Mandals under the 84 No. Digboi Assembly constituency in Tinsukia district.

The signers of the petition expressed their strong dissatisfaction with the current MLA's conduct and requested the party leaders to pay attention to their complaints while determining the candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Allegation of Anti-Party Activity

The petition contains a major allegation that the accused party member violated party rules during a video conference with state BJP officials.

The workers claimed that Phukan made the party’s internal video conference public in the presence of Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi.

The petition states,

“During a party video conference with the BJP President Dilip Saikia, MLA Suren Phukan engaged in anti-party activities by making it public with Akhil Gogoi. We consider this act an unpardonable offence.”

It further warned that renominating him could severely affect the morale of grassroots workers.

“If a person involved in such anti-party activities is again given a ticket, the trust and faith of grassroots workers in the BJP will be shaken,” the letter added.

Allegations Over Personal Conduct

The petition also raises allegations related to the MLA’s personal conduct, which the signatories claim has embarrassed senior party members and damaged the party’s image in the constituency.

According to the letter, the workers alleged that many residents of Digboi and nearby areas are aware of what they described as the MLA’s relationship with a woman identified as Lina Dutta, whom they referred to as his “second wife”.

The petition further claims that the MLA has maintained relationships with several women, which the signatories alleged has negatively affected the party’s reputation in the constituency.

The letter also alleges that some women party workers faced uncomfortable situations because of his behaviour.

According to the petition, “Several women workers have either been forced to leave the party or remain silent out of fear of social repercussions.”

The signatories further claimed that women who did not comply with him were allegedly humiliated or sidelined within the party organisation.

Allegations of Financial Irregularities

The signatories further alleged that women who refused to comply with him were humiliated or sidelined within the party.

The petition also accuses the MLA of irregularities in the distribution of funds meant for party work. The signatories claimed that funds designated for organizational use were distributed solely to people who had personal connections with the recipient. The grassroots workers were informed that the party had not supplied any financial backing.

The letter claims that the MLA often argued that organising party meetings and mobilising supporters during visits by top leaders required substantial personal spending.

“He frequently says organising party programmes costs him ₹10–12 lakh from his own pocket, and therefore money has to be collected from businessmen and contractors,” the petition alleges.

The signatories also claim that commissions were sometimes demanded in development-related works in the constituency.

Allegations of Disrespect Towards Workers

The petition accuses the MLA of showing repeated disrespect toward party members by making insulting remarks while claiming that his personal power was responsible for all electoral wins in the district. 

He repeatedly tells workers that he did not become an MLA because of the BJP; rather the BJP gained its footing here because of him, the letter states.

The workers claim that panchayat representatives and municipal councillors faced constant pressure from him to obey his commands or they would lose their jobs.

Allegations of Authoritarian Functioning

The petition also describes what workers called an “authoritarian style” of functioning by the MLA.

According to the letter, booth-level and mandal-level workers were allegedly instructed not to maintain contact with district or state leaders without his approval.
The signatories claimed that many senior leaders have gradually been sidelined from organisational responsibilities and replaced by individuals loyal to the MLA.

Appeal to Party Leadership

The workers finished their petition by requesting that BJP leadership take action to resolve their emotional appeal.

The letter states that "we request the party leadership to honour our painful appeal and give us an opportunity to strengthen and stabilise the organisation." 

The signatories further added,

“Otherwise, workers who have served the party selflessly for the past 18–20 years will continue to suffer. We hope the leadership will consider our appeal and oblige us.”

The petition document stated that copies were to be submitted to several senior BJP leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister and MP Sarbananda Sonowal, among others.

Signatories

The petition was reportedly signed by ten party members, including:

Suraj Rajput, Narmada Borgohain, Pulin Neog, Chandan Singh, Dhiraj Gogoi, Kushal Moran, Rupa Gogoi, Diganta Gogoi, Basanta Baruah, Prince William.

Also Read: “Sabka Vikas to Sabka Vinash”: Assam TMC Attacks BJP Over LPG Price Hike and Rising Cost of Living