The recent ruling by the Gauhati High Court has deemed Naba Kumar Sarania unfit to run for office in the Kokrajhar constituency of Assam. This setback, resulting from a controversy surrounding Sarania’s tribal identity card, significantly hampers his political aspirations in the region.
The recent legal proceedings have been centered around the ethnic certificate of Sarania, leading to the verdict. The Guwahati High Court has ruled that Naba Kumar Sarania does not belong to the scheduled tribe (ST) category. This decision was made by the High Court about the ethnic certificate.
The ST certificate was issued to Naba Sarania, 53, on October 17, 2011, as highlighted by the high court. In 2014, he contested elections for the first time from the Kokrajhar parliamentary constituency, which is reserved for ST candidates. Notably, he was re-elected in 2019. Nevertheless, a recent court ruling has raised questions about the legitimacy of his parliamentary term, thereby questioning the credibility of his electoral mandate.
The conflict regarding Sarania’s tribal ethnicity certificate has been defined by intense legal disputes and political unrest. The ruling from the court signifies a crucial juncture in this continuing narrative, with the potential to alter the dynamics of Kokrajhar’s political landscape.
The Assam government’s decision has sparked responses from different groups, including Sarnia herself, who accused them of plotting to ruin her political career in the region. Sarania, speaking to reporters earlier, reaffirmed her claim and believed that it was a deliberate effort to hinder her voting rights. The Supreme Court’s verdict is expected to significantly influence Assam politics, shaping Sarania’s future representation and progress in Kokrajhar. As the legal dispute continues, stakeholders eagerly anticipate additional developments that could potentially reshape the electoral landscape in this crucial district.
