GUWAHATI: In a bid to keep the momentum going on its expansion in the northeast,

may deploy its demolition man

in the

election.

Speculation is rife that he may be the saffron party's choice for the

seat, regarded as the cultural capital of the state.

The BJP strongman, who was with Congress till 2015, has maintained a near-perfect winning streak throughout his political career. The only exception was the 1996 assembly election, his first, which he had lost to Asom Gana Parishad stalwart Bhrigu Kumar Phukan from Jalukbari constituency.

Guwahati MP Bijoya Chakraborty, also from BJP, wants Himanta to contest from the seat this time since she might hang up her boots. The canny leader is seen as the brains behind most political manoeuvres that have paid off in BJP's favour over the past few years.

So what is Himanta's take on the matter? "I am game," he said.

"If the party decides I should contest the Lok Sabha election, I will. It is for the party to decide on the constituency. Besides, voters of the constituency have to show some interest in me," the saffron party's key strategist in the northeast said.