Guwahati: BJP is on course to retain power in Assam, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) headed for a decisive and near landslide victory as early Election Commission trends showed the party leading in 97 seats against Congress’ 26, crossing the majority mark in the 126-member Assembly.
This places Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on track for a third consecutive term as counting continued.
As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the BJP led on 77 seats, the Indian National Congress was ahead in 25 seats, followed by the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) with 10 seats each at around 11.20 am. The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) was leading in 2 seats, while the United People’s Party, Liberal (UPPL) and Raijor Dal was ahead in 1 seat each.
With 77 seats in its favour, the BJP has secured a clear early majority in the trends, indicating a strong position for the ruling alliance as counting continues across the state.
Sarma, contesting from Jalukbari, is ahead with 11,821 votes, maintaining a lead of 7,748 votes over Congress candidate Bidisha Neog, who has secured 4,073 votes as of round 2 in the 18th round.
BJP candidate Pradyut Bordoloi maintained a strong lead in the Dispur Assembly constituency, as he was ahead with 29,838 votes, holding a margin of 22,310 votes over Congress candidate Mira Borthakur Goswami, who secured 7,528 votes as of round 4 in the 20-round election as per EC trends.
Congress candidate Gaurav Gogoi, however, trailed in the Jorhat Assembly constituency, according to Election Commission trends from Round 6 of 14 in the counting process.
BJP candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami is ahead with 27,903 votes, maintaining a lead of 9,285 votes over Gogoi, who has secured 18,618 votes. The early trends indicate a closely watched contest in the constituency as counting continues.
Meanwhile, at the Congress office in Assam, decorators who were called in advance in anticipation of the election results were asked to leave as soon as the results began trickling in. (With inputs from ANI)
