Assam sees saffron surge, Congress’ Gogoi to hang his boots

BJP's triumph in the state is indeed a feat especially after successive defeats in Bihar and Delhi polls.

Assam 2016 Assembly Election Results Live

ASSAM [126 / 126]

AIUDF: 13

BJP+: 86

INC: 25

Others: 2

Guwahati: The BJP has won Assam convincingly, its first win ever in the state and also in the Northeast which has traditionally been a Congress bastion.

Sarbananda Sonowal, the chief ministerial candidate of the BJP-led alliance, is likely to take oath on May 25 in Khanapara.

Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development wand did wonders in the state, demographic composition and anti-incumbency were some of the other important factors which worked in favour of the party.

The saffron party's triumph draws a parallel with the 1985 Assam Assembly polls, when the Asom Gana Parishad came to power for the first time immediately after the historic Assam Accord. Both polls have common grounds like Bangladeshi infiltration and development issues which formed the crux of the electoral duel. But despite being in power for two terms, the regional party AGP failed to improve the status of Assam, which then gave way to the Congress. However, after a prolonged period of dormancy, the regional party has finally revived its lost sheen as an ally of the BJP.

There are many factors which led to Congress’ demise; a significant one being Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s arrogance. His attempt to portray himself as a ‘blunt chief minister’ alienated the party in the state.

The Congress’ decision to drive out leader Himanta Biswa Sarma to create space for Tarun Gogoi’s son Gaurab also cost the party dearly in Assam.

8:28 am: Congress takes the lead in one seat, while BJP is yet to open its account.

9:00 am: BJP opens account, takes lead in 35 seats, while Congress lags behind with 11. As of now, the numbers hint at a positive outcome for the saffron party.

9:20 am: BJP takes lead in 48 seats, while Congress is still with 20. There is a huge gap in the number of seats bagged by the political majors. BJP leading the race consolidates Sarbananda Sonowal's aspiration of forming government in the northeastern state.

10:00 am: BJP leads in 66 seats, Congress trailing with 27. On the other hand, Badruddin Ajmal's AIUDF is leading in 16 seats thus giving a clear picture wherein BJP is seemingly making inroads in Assam.

10:30 am: BJP is leading in 71 seats, Congress in 27. Sarbananda Sonowal's charisma might help BJP reap benefit and helm affairs in the state as it is still way ahead in the race, while Congress is struggling hard to hold on to its stature.

10:55 am: BJP makes a resounding debut in the northeastern state with 73 seats leaving behind Congress with 32. The party's triumph in the state is indeed a feat especially after successive defeats in Bihar and Delhi polls. Meanwhile, Congress's 15-year-old stint comes to an end, putting the party in a tight spot.

12:30 pm: BJP is still leading the race with 80 seats while Congress struggling hard with 27 seats.

1:00 pm: BJP continues to command the race with 83 seats, consolidating its position in the state. On the other hand, Congress suffers a crushing defeat, leading in 25 seats.

4:00 pm: BJP stands strong with 86 seats while Congress bags 24 seats.

If early trend in counting of votes is any indicator, Assam is all set to have a BJP-led alliance government with most of Congress ministers and stalwarts like Pradyut Bordoloi, Sarat Barkatoky, Akon Bora, trailing in their respective constituencies.

Unlike other state assembly polls, Modi instead of maligning his rivals in the political race took to a different approach wherein he focused on issues which would ensure the party's victory.

Being overwhelmed by BJP's victory, Modi congratulated Sarbananda Sonowal. “Heartiest congratulations to Assam BJP Karyakartas & leaders for the exceptional win. This win is historic by all standards. Phenomenal!” tweeted Modi

The counting of votes in the Assam assembly polls for 126 seats began at 8 am today to decide the fate of 1064 candidates in 51 counting centres comprising 143 counting halls and 1,771 counting tables.

A three-tier security ring has been deployed for the counting with the first ring of armed CRPF personnel around the counting hall, the second layer manned by armed state police and the final ring comprising the district police around the 100-metre periphery of the centre.

To start the day on a positive note, BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal paid visit to Kamalabari satra monastery in Majuli on Thursday as counting begins for the Assembly polls. On the other hand, Tarun Gogoi offered prayers at Kamakhya temple. He is also scheduled to visit a Masjid in Ambari area that will be followed by his visit to Girija Ghar (Church).

Political bigwigs along with people residing in the northeastern state are eagerly awaiting the electoral outcome, which will determine the political climate in the state.

The results will decide the fate of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and BJP’s CM candidate Sarbananda Sonowal. The state will witness a tough battle between political majors - Congess and BJP, with the latter being given a clear majority in a house of 126 MLAs by the exit polls. Assam being one of the states consolidating BJP’s emphatic triumph in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls might put forth a fair chance for the saffron party.

Among the 1064 candidates, Congress contested in 122 constituencies, BJP in 89 and its alliance partners AGP in 30 and BPF in 13, AIUDF in 74, while the remaining are from CPI , CPM, CPI(ML)(L), unrecognised parties and Independents.

A total number of 1,69,00,487 voters, including 87,26,959 males and 81,73,528 females, exercised their franchise. Either of major political parties have to bag 64 seats in order to form the government.

Among 1064 candidates who contested the polls, the prominent ones are Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi from Titabor, Speaker of the outgoing Assembly Pranab Gogoi from Sibsagar, former Union Minister and prominent tea tribe leader Paban Singh Ghatowar of Congress from Moran, Union minister and BJP's Chief Minister candidate Sarbananda Sonowal from Majuli(ST), Jorhat LS MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa from Titabor and former Congress Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who joined the BJP after leading dissidence again Tarun Gogoi from Jalukbari, AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal from South Salmara.

Congress contested in 122 constituencies, BJP in 89 and its alliance partners AGP in 30 and BPF in 13, AIUDF in 74, while the remaining are from CPI , CPM, CPI(ML)(L), unrecognised parties and Independents.

The voter turnout testified a breakthrough number with the first and second phase recording a whopping 84.72 percent to elect members of the 126 constituencies. Besides, polling booths witnessed more women voters as compared to their male counterparts with numbers being pegged at 84.81 percent and 84.64 percent respectively.

Congress won by a landslide in 2011, capturing 79 seats of 126. The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) won 18 seats and the Bodoland People’s Front 12 seats. BJP finished with just 5 seats, down from 10 in 2006.

(This story originally appeared on Deccan Chronicle as may the case be)