"Not a Politician": Jahnu Barua Confirms he Won't Contest Rajya Sabha Polls as Opposition Candidate

Guwahati, March 5, 2020:

Amid grapevine reports that Assam filmmaker Jahnu Barua might contest Rajya Sabha Polls on a ticket of the Congress-led alliance, the filmmaker has confirmed that he has no such desires.

Posting a video on social media, the "Halodhia Sorai' Director clarified that despite murmurs surrounding his potential nomination, he does not have desire to enter politics.  I have heard that opposition parties have discussion presenting my name for nomination, and I have heard murmurs that I have expressed desire of being a Rajya Sabha MP."

"It is completely untrue, and I am saddened that my name is being brought up like this. I have said in the past that I am not a political man and have never expressed will to be involved in politics", Barua added, quashing rumours that he will be contesting in the upcoming polls in Assam.

This announcement comes on the back of murmurs that Barua, who has recently opined on political matters in the recent past, is thinking of political aspirations.

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It may be mentioned here that post the passage of Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha and enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act, there have been talks about a new political party in Assam. Jahnu Baruah's name has also come up in discussions in regards to a "political alternative" to the BJP in Assam.

Barua, along with Ancholikatabad Suraksha Mancha’s Chief Convener Arup Borbora, last February informed about the launch of a new political party in Assam with the aim to pave way for "proper development" in the NE state.

However, Barua's name was then floated by the rumour mill as an opposition candidate to contest the impending Rajya Sabha polls on March 26, with 5 seats being eyed.

Former Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader, Tarun Gogoi, who was earlier opposed to Ajmal said he had suggested the party high command for fielding a Congress-AIUDF common candidate to prevent BJP from getting all three seats. "All anti-CAA forces must unite", he said, and added that Ajmal's response had been "positive." The seats of Bhubaneswar Kalita, Sanjay Singh and Biswajit Daimary will fall vacant on April 9.

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