States »EasPosted at: May 1 2021 8:04PM Congress, BJP both exudes confidence in forming next Govt. in Assam
Guwahati, May 1 (UNI) Counting for the 126 assembly seats in Assam will take place tomorrow, both the `Mitrajot’ led by BJP and `Mahajot’ led by Congress are exuding confidence about forming the next government in state ahead of the counting of the results.
Mitrajot is the four-party alliance headed by the BJP that hopes to retain power and Mahajot comprising 10 parties is headed by the opposition Congress.
Most of the exit polls have given a lead to the BJP and its regional allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and Rabha Joutha Mancha.
“Our assessment is that our alliance will win 83 of the 126 seats, our party bagging 70 of them,” State BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass said.
On the other hand, Congress is dismissing the exit polls predictions and is confident that the party will return to power winning 75 seats.
The two new regional parties Asom Jaitya Parishad (AJP) and Raijor Dal (RD) are also hopeful of making their mark in the elections.
According to political analysts, the 47 and 39 seats that went to polls in the first phase on March 27 and April 1 respectively would be crucial for the BJP.
The BJP and AGP had in 2016 won 59 of the total 86 seats in these two phases covering eastern, northern, southern and partly central Assam.
The tea plantation workers, who hold sway in 45 seats, would be a major factor in the first phase.
Muslims, who constitute more than 34% of the State’s population, are likely to call the shots in many of the seats in the second and third phases.
Apart from the tea-growing belt and Muslim-majority seats, the focus this time would be on 12 seats straddling the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).
The BPF had won all 12 seats in 2016 and had proved in the December 2020 BTC polls that it was no pushover and could ensure fewer seats for the Mitrajot.
Meanwhile, Assam’s Director-General of Police said a roadmap has been prepared for handling the dual challenge of enforcing COVID protocols and ensuring a safe and peaceful counting on Sunday. “The COVID compliant roadmap was shared with all the district police heads,” he said.
He appealed to the leaders and members of the political parties to adhere to the guidelines of the Election Commission of India regarding the ban on celebrations, victory march and other post-results activities.
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