Assam Votes: A Tense Showdown Between BJP's Himanta Sarma and Congress' Gaurav Gogoi
The people of Assam are eagerly waiting for the results of the assembly election, which took place on April 9. A total of 722 candidates contested for 126 seats, with Congress fielding the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. The election has been a closely contested battle between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, with both parties making significant promises to the people of Assam.
The election has been marked by a strong focus on identity politics, welfare delivery, and regional aspirations. The BJP has been trying to consolidate its position in the state, while the Congress has been trying to regain its lost ground. The election has also seen the emergence of new players, including the Aam Aadmi Party and the United People's Party Liberal.
Several high-profile faces are in the fray, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi, AGP's Atul Bora, and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal. Sarma is seeking a third consecutive term from Jalukbari, while Gogoi is contesting from Jorhat. The performance of Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary will be closely watched as a test of the BJP-UPPL alliance in the Bodoland Territorial Region.
The counting of votes will take place at 40 centres across 35 districts under heavy security. Electronic voting machines containing votes of over 2.5 crore electors will be opened amid strict monitoring. Twenty-five companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed to guard counting centres and strongrooms, while around 800 additional unarmed police personnel will assist in transporting EVMs.
The Assam assembly election has been a closely contested battle between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. The outcome of the election will determine the fate of several high-profile leaders and will have a significant impact on the politics of Assam.