Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a poll-rally in Kokrajhar of lower Assam on Thursday, where the third phase polling of State legislative assembly elections is scheduled for 6 April, slammed AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal for insulting Assamese Gamosa. Modi commented that the entire State witnessed how the identity of Assam, a symbol of Assamese women’s hard works, Gamosa was insulted publicly. The senior BJP leader mentioned about an incident, where All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal was seen throwing a Gamosa to one of his party workers during a meeting in Nagarbera angrily and it went viral on social media. “Everyone who loves Assam is hurt and angry after seeing those pictures,” asserted Modi, who often attends national and international events garlanding the Assamese Gamosa.
Targeting the Congress-led grand alliance in the State comprising AIUDF too, Modi commented that this is an election between the Mohajhuth of Mohajoat (grand alliance) and Moha Vikas initiatives of the double engine government. Referring to the football, which is popular in eastern Bharat, Modi asserted that the people this time would show a red card to the Congress and its political allies.
State chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, powerful minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam BJP president Ranjeet Kr Dass, etc came out heavily against Ajmal for his behaviour and insult to Gamosa, which is highly regarded in the Assamese society. They termed it as an attitude of the opposition alliance towards Assam’s culture and heritage. Meanwhile, the second phase polling in the State ended peacefully on Thursday without any major unpleasant incidents. According to the election authority, it recorded 77.21% polling till 6 pm (however it may increase up to 80%). The electoral exercise was conducted following strict security and Covid-19 guidelines, where the fate of 345 candidates including 26 women in 39 assembly constituencies was locked in EVMs.
Most constituencies in this phase witnessed straight battle between the BJP led alliance and the opposition Congress led Mohajoat (grand alliance). For the ruling alliance, State ministers Parimal Suklabaidya, Bhabesh Kalita, Pijush Hazarika, assembly deputy speaker Aminul Haque Laskar, saffron legislators Numal Momin, Rupak Sarma, Mihir Kanti Shome, etc were seeking re -elections from their respective constituencies.
BJP nominees Jayanta Malla Barua, Gautam Roy, UPPL nominees Biswajit Daimary, Gobinda Chandra Basumatary etc were also in the fray.
