Guwahati: The campaign for second phase polling of Assam legislative assembly elections covering 39 constituencies, scheduled for 1 April, is coming to an end by 6 pm today, which is 48 hours prior to the close of polls. Altogether 345 candidates are in the fray for this phase polling.
The election authority has banned any kind of poll rallies, processions, display of election matters by means of a cinematograph or similar apparatus after the prescribed time. It also prohibits the propagation of any election matter to the public by holding musical concerts, theatrical performances or other entertainment programs to attract the public in any polling area during the period of 48 hours.
Within this period, no result of exit or opinion polls should be published, publicized or disseminated in any manner by print, electronic or other media platforms, said the authority adding that the ban would continue till voting in a single phase, or multiple phases and in all the States where the election commission notified election is over.
Meanwhile, various political parties along with independent candidates have campaigned to woo the voters amidst the Holi (locally known as Phakua) celebrations on Monday. State chief minister and senior BJP leader Sarbananda Sonowal attended a Holi function in the city. Speaking to the scribe, Sonowal assured that Assam will progress under the BJP leadership with sustained communal harmony. He criticised the Congress for its negative politics and asserted that the people have slowly started forgetting the grand old party of Bharat.
State minister and BJP’s star campaigner Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed a number of poll rallies in various parts for pursuing votes for the saffron candidates. He is going to attend another series of rallies on Tuesday. He highlighted the assurances of BJP as increasing the Orunodoi beneficial scheme amount from rupees 830 to 3000 per month, the waiving off microfinance loan to 50 per cent, assurance for jobs, two-wheelers for youths and other infrastructures in rural Assam.
BJP’s political allies Asom Gana Parishad, UPPL, also continued campaigning in different constituencies as done by the opposition allies including Bodoland People’s Front, AIUDF, etc. Newly formed Asom Jatiya Parishad and Raijor Dol are campaigning in respective constituencies, which are mostly based in the Brahmaputra valley.
In Barak valley, the BJP led and Congress-led political alliances are fighting for their candidates in 15 constituencies. For the ruling alliance, CM Sonowal and Sarma have taken the lead.
