As Assam completed the single-phase largely peaceful polling on 9 April to elect 126 representatives for State legislative assembly, the focus now shifts to probable outcome as both the ruling and opposition parties are claiming the result in their favours. The all time high voters’ turnout (85.96 percent) in the State paved the way for speculation by different parties. Many assembly constituencies namely Parbatjhora, Golakganj, Gauripur, Dhubri, Birsing Jarua, Bilasipara, Mankachar, Jaleshwar, Goalpara West, Goalpara East, Abhayapuri, Srijangram, Bongaigaon, Mandia, Chenga, Pakabetbari, Chamaria, Barkhetri, Nalbari, Dalgaon, Laharighat, Dhing, Rupahihat and Samaguri recorded over 90% polling, whereas urban localities under Kamrup and Kamrup (metropolitan) districts showed a slightly lower turn out (around 80% in Dimoria, Dispur, Guwahati Central, Jalukbari and New Guwahati seats). So the electorates deserve appreciations without any prejudice.
Now the fate of 722 candidates in Assam representing different political parties and independent contenders remains sealed in the electronic voting machines till 4 May, the counting day sets by the Election Commission of India for general elections in Assam, Keralam, Puducherry union territory as well as bye-elections in Karnataka’s Bagalkot and Davanagere South seats, Nagaland’s Koridang and Tripura’s Dharmanagar constituency. The outcome of Tamil Nadu single-phase assembly polls scheduled for 23 April and two phases West Bengal elections (23 and 29 April) will also be available on the same day. For Assam, the magic number 64 in the assembly was easily retained by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance in the 2021 elections and formed the government for the second time in Dispur with 75 members.
Recently, while addressing election rallies in north Bengal, Assam’s incumbent chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that the saffron party will gain decisive victories in both the States. The outspoken BJP leader predicted wins in nearly 100 seats for Assam and around 200 in the 294-member West Bengal assembly. Earlier, BJP Assam president Dileep Saikia also expected to win a commanding majority for the National Democratic Alliance nominees. Terming the visibly high voter turnout as pro-incumbency in nature, the top leaders of BJP allies (Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front) also predicted to win over 90 seats for the NDA. On the other hand, the Indian National Congress-led opposition alliance claimed to win in over 70 seats to return to power after a decade.
Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi, while citing the BJP’s two-term anti-incumbency, continued harassment to religious minority families, and more precisely personal corruption charges against Sarma and his family, termed the unprecedented turnout in polls in favour of change. The deputy-leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha targeted Sarma personally as his party senior Pawan Khera made some sensational allegations against the chief minister’s wife on 5 April. Mentionable is that Khera at a formal press meet in New Delhi and later in Guwahati alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma was holding multiple active foreign passports and also undisclosed investments to the tune of million dollars in foreign countries.
However, both Sarma and his wife denounced the allegations and challenged in the court with a forgery and conspiracy case. Facing the heat, Khera approached Telangana High Court and even received a short period transit anticipatory bail, but it was stayed by the Supreme Court of India. Khera was asked to approach a competent court in Assam for relief. Now Sarma urges Khera to comply with legal procedures by appearing before an appropriate court. Meanwhile, Sarma expressed dissatisfaction with the police forces as to why they allowed Khera to leave Guwahati after an FIR was lodged. He publicly stated that soon after his return to the CMO, the top police personnel will be made accountable for the failure.
Sarma also announced to file a public interest litigation against the ECI to raise serious issues relating to Khera’s timing and intentions to defame his family. A law graduate himself, Sarma claimed that the allegations were made on the specific period to influence the poll outcomes. He believes that the ECI should issue guidelines while addressing such matters as it may have negative impacts on electoral outcomes to the party-concerned.
Pre & post-election public discourses have showcased many pertinent issues those need serious attention indeed.
Assam polls, predictions, pertinent issues, etc
