Updated May 2nd, 2021 at 22:30 IST
Assam Election Result 2021 Live: NDA set to cross halfway mark; Congress concedes defeat
Voting for the Assam Assembly elections was held in three phases starting March 27 and ending on April 6. The counting of votes is set to begin on May 2 at 8 AM onwards.
10: 30 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per the Election Commission, the NDA is poised to win 72 seats as against that of UPA's 51.
10: 01 IST, May 2nd 2021
After the poor performance in the Assam Assembly polls, Ripun Bora tendered his resignation as the Congress state unit president. Writing to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Bora lamented that the party was unable to combat the "divisive and communal" politics of BJP and RSS.
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9: 38 IST, May 2nd 2021
Raijor Dal president and incarcerated activist Akhil Gogoi won the Assembly election from Sibsagar.
9: 38 IST, May 2nd 2021
The people of Assam have again blessed the NDA’s development agenda and the pro-people track record of our Government in the state. I thank the people of Assam for the blessings. I appreciate the hard work of NDA Karyakartas and their untiring efforts in serving the people.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2021
इस भव्य जीत पर राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष @JPNadda जी, @RanjeetKrDass जी, @sarbanandsonwal जी, @himantabiswa जी व सभी कार्यकर्ताओं को बधाई देता हूँ। मुझे पूरा विश्वास है कि मोदी जी व नड्डा जी के नेतृत्व में प्रदेश के सब कार्यकर्ता व हमारे सहयोगी असम के विकास के लिए ऐसे ही प्रयासरत रहेंगे।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 2, 2021
Thank you Assam for showing faith in the NDA administration with this massive mandate. The state stands strongly with PM @narendramodi ji’s vision of progressive & prosperous Assam. I congratulate @sarbanandsonwal ji, @RanjeetkrDass ji , @himantabiswa ji & every Karykarta of BJP.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) May 2, 2021
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9: 26 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per the Election Commission, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal won from Majuli once again by trouncing his nearest opposition Rajib Lochan Pegu with a margin of over 43,000 votes.
9: 25 IST, May 2nd 2021
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7: 02 IST, May 2nd 2021
The suspense over who would become the next Chief Minister of Assam continued as senior Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stressed that a decision in this regard will be taken by the BJP Parliamentary Board.
Bharatiya Janata Party will form the government and the CM will also be from BJP, to continue development in the State: Assam Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma pic.twitter.com/P4ZhpG7mTK
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
5: 59 IST, May 2nd 2021
Addressing a press conference, Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala conceded defeat in Assam. He promised that his party will continue to play the role of an effective opposition in the state.
We accept the verdict with humility & a sense of responsibility
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) May 2, 2021
We demand that Modi Govt now rise above partisan political campaign & concentrate upon tackling Covid, providing medicines,oxygen,ramping up hospital infrastructure & ensure universal vaccination for all
Statement- pic.twitter.com/YzvlZbLS7G
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4: 59 IST, May 2nd 2021
In a key development, Himanta Biswa Sarma won Jalukbari by a margin of 1,01,911 votes.
@BJP4India won Jalukbari LAC-by a margin of 1,01,911 votes.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 2, 2021
It would be my Privilege to represent the constituency for 5th consecutive term.
My gratitude to the people of jalukbari,Honble PM @narendramodi , HM @AmitShah and national president @JPNadda
JAI AAI ASOM,JAI HIND
4: 42 IST, May 2nd 2021
Congress bagged the Thowra seat with its candidate Sushanta Borgohain emerging victorious against BJP's Kushal Dowari.
Heartiest congratulations to Shri Sushanta Borgohainji. pic.twitter.com/ei1Ckppbfx
— Assam Congress (@INCAssam) May 2, 2021
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4: 33 IST, May 2nd 2021
Congress MLA Nandita Das won the Boko seat by trouncing her closest opponent Jyoti Prasad Das of AGP.
Heartiest congratulations to Shri Nandita Dasji. pic.twitter.com/pHLyHxRYVA
— Assam Congress (@INCAssam) May 2, 2021
4: 25 IST, May 2nd 2021
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal for BJP's victory in the state. She lauded him for carrying forward the policies of PM Modi and BJP.
Congratulations @sarbanandsonwal on being blessed by the people of Assam. Carrying forward people centric policies of @PMOIndia & @BJP4India with @JPNadda leading from the front, you have well served the state. Wishing FM @himantabiswa for his energetic role. @BJP4Assam
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) May 2, 2021
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4: 14 IST, May 2nd 2021
Speaking on BJP's performance in Assam, MoS PMO Jitendra Singh opined that the state has undergone a lot of change after 2014. Stressing that Assam also fared better than the rest of the country when dealing with COVID-19, he claimed that people realised the benefit of BJP led government at the state and Centre which will particularly benefit the youth and women. Refusing to reveal the party's CM choice, Singh revealed that a decision will be taken with consultation of the highest echelon of BJP leaders after the results are notified.
#AssamAssemblyPoll: I thank the people of #Assam from the bottom of my heart for having reposed faith in #BJP and voted in support from across all the sections to give a second term with a spectacular decisive mandate. Credit goes to PM Sh @NarendraModi who
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) May 2, 2021
1/3 pic.twitter.com/5UvJZGsWUe
4: 05 IST, May 2nd 2021
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh credited the policies of the Centre and the Sonowal-led government for BJP's 'victory' in Assam.
The pro-people policies of Shri @narendramodi led Govt & the state Govt under @sarbanandsonwal have once again helped the BJP in winning assembly elections in Assam. Congratulations to PM Modi, CM Sonowal, Adhyaksh Shri @JPNadda & karyakartas on BJP’s impressive victory in Assam.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 2, 2021
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3: 40 IST, May 2nd 2021
Incumbent MLA Prashant Phukan again won a BJP ticket from Dibrugarh by beating Congress' Rajkumar Neog with a margin of 3,900 votes. He has served as the Dibrugarh MLA since 2006.
3: 40 IST, May 2nd 2021
Congress claimed that the Mahajot will emerge victorious and form government in Assam once the final results are out despite trends showing a majority for NDA.
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3: 30 IST, May 2nd 2021
Former Assam Minister and BJP's Ajanta Neog won from the Golaghat constituency. The ex-Congress leader defeated Congress' Bitupan Saikia by 9036 votes.
3: 30 IST, May 2nd 2021
BJP candidate Bhaskar Sharma won the Margherita seat by trouncing Manoranjan Borgohain of the Congress party.
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3: 14 IST, May 2nd 2021
Rupjyoti Kurmi of Congress bagged the Mariani seat beating his BJP opponent Ramani Tanti.
Heartiest congratulations to Shri Rupjyoti Kurmiji. pic.twitter.com/16LWm9GiSd
— Assam Congress (@INCAssam) May 2, 2021
3: 14 IST, May 2nd 2021
Rekibuddin Ahmed of the Congress party secured victory in Chaygaon. Kamala Kanta Kalita of AGP was defeated.
Heartiest congratulations to Shri Rekibuddin Ahmedji. pic.twitter.com/yfspvw66Dv
— Assam Congress (@INCAssam) May 2, 2021
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3: 02 IST, May 2nd 2021
AGP president Atul Bora trounced NCP's Mridul Saikia to win from Bokakhat by 33,800 votes. In the 2016 Assembly polls, he created history by becoming the first non-Congress candidate to win from this constituency. He has served as the founder-chairman of the North-East Students' Coordination Committee and the AASU chief in the past.
2: 56 IST, May 2nd 2021
In a massive setback to Congress, its Assam unit president Ripun Bora lost to BJP's Utpal Borah by 14,118 votes. Bora made a political comeback after being discharged in the Daniel Topno murder case in 2014 by bagging a Rajya Sabha ticket two years later. While his wife Monica Bora won this seat in 2011, she lost to BJP's Utpal Borah in the previous Assembly polls by 28,935 votes.
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2: 50 IST, May 2nd 2021
Congress' Rakibul Hussain won from the Samaguri seat. He trounced BJP's Anil Saikia and Abidur Rahman of the Assam Jatiya Parishad.
Heartiest congratulation to Shri @rakibul_inc pic.twitter.com/zLv7NIE4Li
— Assam Congress (@INCAssam) May 2, 2021
2: 50 IST, May 2nd 2021
In another win for the Congress party, its Salmara South candidate Wazed Ali Choudhury. The other contenders were BJP's Asadul Islam and NCP's Jenat Mollah.
Heartiest congratulation to Shri Wazed Ali Choudhury. pic.twitter.com/LMZw94unvJ
— Assam Congress (@INCAssam) May 2, 2021
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2: 03 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per C Voter, BJP and AGP are leading in 72 seats. On the other hand, Congress is ahead in 34 constituencies. Meanwhile, 9 AIUDF candidates are leading. Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi is leading in Sibsagar.
1: 10 IST, May 2nd 2021
The Election Commission has taken cognizance of DMK and TMC's victory celebration congregations in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal respectively. It is pertinent to note that the EC banned any victory procession owing to the COVID-19 situation in the country. The poll body directed the Chief Secretary of all 5 states to file FIR in each such case, suspend SHO of the concerned Police Station and report the action taken immediately of each such incidence.
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1: 07 IST, May 2nd 2021
Congress' fortunes plummeted even more as NDA extended its lead to 78 out of 126 constituencies.
12: 32 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per C Voter, these are the region-wise leads:
1. Bodoland:
BPF- 7
BJP- 5
Congress- 3
AGP- 1
Others- 2
2. Barak Valley:
BJP- 9
Congress- 4
AIUDF- 1
AGP- 1
3. Hills:
BJP-3
Congress- 2
4. Lower Assam:
BJP- 15
Congress- 8
AIUDF- 7
AGP- 2
5. Middle Assam:
BJP- 8
Congress- 3
AIUDF- 2
AGP- 1
6. North Assam:
Congress- 3
BJP- 3
7. Tea Garden:
BJP- 22
Congress- 12
AGP- 2
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12: 13 IST, May 2nd 2021
Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is leading from Jalukbari leading by over 24,000 votes.
12: 07 IST, May 2nd 2021
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary is trailing by 1078 votes in Panery constituency
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12: 07 IST, May 2nd 2021
Speaking to ANI, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal remarked, "People have given us their blessings. It is clear that our government will be formed. We will form the government with AGP and UPPL. We will have to wait till the last vote is counted. The trend is in our favour."
11: 52 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per the Election Commission, NDA is leading in 73 seats whereas UPA is ahead in 43 constituencies.
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11: 40 IST, May 2nd 2021
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal exudes confidence in BJP forming the next government in Assam.
As per the trends, it is clear that Bharatiya Janata Party will form the government in Assam: Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal#Assam pic.twitter.com/EuxHnucmtD
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
11: 34 IST, May 2nd 2021
NDA is leading in 73 Assembly constituencies at present further diminishing Congress' chances of winning.
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11: 25 IST, May 2nd 2021
According to the Election Commission, BJP and Congress are leading in 55 and 22 seats respectively.
11: 15 IST, May 2nd 2021
According to Election Commission trends, NDA is leading in 68 seats which is akin to crossing the halfway mark.
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11: 15 IST, May 2nd 2021
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AIUDF's Aminul Islam- Trailing in Mankachar
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BJP state president Ranjeet Kumar Dass- Leading in Patacharkuchi
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NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma- Leading in Jalukbari
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Congress state president Ripurn Bora- Leading in Gohpur
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AGP president Atul Bora- Leading in Bokakhat
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Debabrata Saikia- Trailing in Nazira
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Akhil Gogoi- Trailing in Sibsagar
10: 54 IST, May 2nd 2021
At present, BJP, Congress, AGP and AIUDF are leading in 43, 16, 11 and 6 seats respectively
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10: 49 IST, May 2nd 2021
Assam Minister and NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma is leading by a margin of over 11,000 votes in Jalukbari.
10: 41 IST, May 2nd 2021
In a significant development, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi is trailing from the Duliajan constituency as per C Voter.
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10: 39 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 78, 37 and 4 seats respectively.
10: 32 IST, May 2nd 2021
As against 16 seats of UPA, NDA is ahead in 43 seats as per the current ECI trends.
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10: 32 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 74, 35 and three seats respectively.
10: 22 IST, May 2nd 2021
The Election Commission trends show that NDA and UPA are leading in 40 and 11 seats respectively.
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10: 14 IST, May 2nd 2021
While the Congress-led alliance is leading in 9 seats, NDA's candidates are ahead in 32 constituencies
10: 09 IST, May 2nd 2021
According to Election Commission trends, NDA has secured a lead in 29 out of 126 seats.
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10: 01 IST, May 2nd 2021
According to Election Commission trends, NDA's lead over UPA surged to 25.
9: 55 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 61, 24 and 4 seats respectively.
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9: 53 IST, May 2nd 2021
While BJP and its allies are ahead in 15 seats, the Mahajot is ahead only in 3 constituencies.
9: 53 IST, May 2nd 2021
Amid NDA's growing lead in Assam, BJP's party in-charge Jay Panda urged party workers to refrain from crowded celebrations as mandated by the ECI amid the COVID-19 crisis.
As we take a large lead in the seats in early counting, I urge all @BJP4Assam Karyakartas to refrain from crowded celebrations as mandated by @ECISVEEP & endorsed by @BJP4India Nat'l President @JPNadda Ji. Let us be humble & maintain Assam's excellent track record managing #covid
— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) May 2, 2021
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9: 47 IST, May 2nd 2021
According to Election Commission trends, NDA is leading in 11 seats as against that of the Congress-led Mahajot alliance which is ahead in only 3 constituencies.
9: 44 IST, May 2nd 2021
According to Election Commission trends, NDA is leading in 8 seats as against that of the Congress-led Mahajot alliance which is ahead in only 2 constituencies.
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9: 41 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 51, 20 and 4 seats respectively.
9: 38 IST, May 2nd 2021
According to Election Commission trends, NDA and UPA are leading in three constituencies respectively.
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9: 38 IST, May 2nd 2021
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal, NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma and jailed activist Akhil Gogoi leading from Majuli, Jalukbari and Sibsagar.
9: 32 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 48, 13 and 4 seats respectively.
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9: 24 IST, May 2nd 2021
According to Election Commission trends, Congress and its ally Bodoland People's Front are leading in two and one seats respectively.
9: 18 IST, May 2nd 2021
3-term MLA Prasanta Phukan is leading from Dibrugarh after 1st round by a margin of 1002 votes.
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9: 16 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 42, 10 and 4 seats respectively. At present, postal votes are being counted.
9: 14 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 33, 12 and 4 seats respectively. At present, postal votes are being counted.
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9: 07 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 26, 11 and 4 seats respectively. At present, postal votes are being counted.
9: 03 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 22, 11 and 4 seats respectively. At present, postal votes are being counted.
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8: 58 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 19, 11 and 4 seats respectively.
8: 54 IST, May 2nd 2021
BJP's Assam in-charge Baijayant Jay Panda predicted that BJP will form the government for the second time in the state. He cited incumbent CM Sarbananda Sonowal's development work.
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8: 50 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 17, 9 and 4 seats respectively.
8: 49 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 15, 7 and 4 seats respectively.
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8: 49 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from North East Live, the BJP-led alliance, UPA and Others are leading in 13, 7 and 4 seats respectively.
8: 45 IST, May 2nd 2021
As per initial trends from C Voter, AIUDF and BJP are leading in two and one seats respectively. This includes AIUDF's Phandidar Talukdar and Zakir Hussain Laskar and BJP's Shyamjit Rabha.
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8: 02 IST, May 2nd 2021
Counting of votes for the Assam Assembly Election has begun. Initially, postal ballots shall be counted.
Counting of votes for #AssemblyElections2021 begins. Votes being counted across Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. pic.twitter.com/vBUGNP0R5Q
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
7: 51 IST, May 2nd 2021
In its first statement on the counting day, the Assam unit of the Congress party extended best wishes to all candidates of Mahajot. The opposition alliance comprises BPF, AGM, AIUDF, API, CPI(M), RJD and JPP.
Heartiest Best Wishes to all contesting candidates of Congress Mahajoat. pic.twitter.com/0v7qo0xZl6
— Assam Congress (@INCAssam) May 2, 2021
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7: 46 IST, May 2nd 2021
#May2WithArnab | Republic TV's Election Results 2021 broadcast is LIVE before vote-counting in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala & Puducherry.
— Republic (@republic) May 2, 2021
Tune in to watch non-stop rolling coverage here - https://t.co/rGQJsiKgt2 pic.twitter.com/G5GVoG1wd4
7: 46 IST, May 2nd 2021
Here are visuals from outside a counting centre at Maniram Dewan Trade Centre in Guwahati.
Assam: Counting of votes for #AssemblyElections2021 to be held today. Visuals from outside a counting centre at Maniram Dewan Trade Centre in Guwahati. pic.twitter.com/J87eLC1JPi
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
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7: 46 IST, May 2nd 2021
Counting staff and counting agents have begun arriving at the counting venue and are being given face masks, face shields etc at Halflong.
Counting staff, Counting agents arriving at counting venue & being given Face Masks, Face Shields etc at Halflong.#AssamAssemblyPolls #AssemblyElections2021 @rajivkumarec @SpokespersonECI @ECISVEEP @diprassam pic.twitter.com/5BCzmWO1jn
— CEO Assam (@ceo_assam) May 2, 2021
7: 46 IST, May 2nd 2021
Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Professor and Head of the Political Science Department at the Guwahati University stressed that BJP's politics in the state is not just about Hindutva. He also weighed in on BJP resorting to competitive populism.
#May2WithArnab | Assam is a very diverse state, BJP from 2016 has been talking about a rainbow alliance. They have been talking about development: Akhil Ranjan Dutta- Professor & Head, Political Science Dept, Guwahati Universityhttps://t.co/rGQJsiKgt2 pic.twitter.com/eQ2SmaWSrn
— Republic (@republic) May 2, 2021
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7: 46 IST, May 2nd 2021
In Dibrugarh, the counting of votes will take place at the Dibrugarh Govt Boys Higher Secondary School and Deputy Commissioner Office. Here are the scenes from outside these counting centres.
Counting of votes for #AssamAssemblyPolls to be held at two locations in Dibrugarh, at Dibrugarh Govt Boys Higher Secondary School and Deputy Commissioner Office, Dibrugarh.
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
Visuals from both locations as counting to begin at 8 am.#AssemblyElections2021 pic.twitter.com/UXX0CNAtBp
6: 44 IST, May 2nd 2021
On Saturday evening, one reserved unused Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) was found inside a truck at a counting centre in Assam's Hailakandi. As per a statement, District Election Officer Megh Nidhi Dahal along with returning officers rushed to the spot, where the EVM was detected and made an inquiry into it. Later, the reserved EVM was taken immediately to the EVM warehouse adjacent to the Deputy Commissioner's premises and stored there.
Reserved EVM found in Counting Centre Premises had no votes polled. #AssemblyElections2021 #AssamAssemblyPolls @ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @diprassam @rajivkumarec pic.twitter.com/krSlzJC2MY
— CEO Assam (@ceo_assam) May 1, 2021
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6: 39 IST, May 2nd 2021
The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for the counting of votes on May 2 for the Assam assembly polls by putting in place measures to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 norms. A three-tier security apparatus has also been arranged at the 331 counting halls across the state. Unlike in the 2016 assembly elections when there were 143 counting halls with 14 tables each, the number of tables has been reduced to 7 per hall this time. Approximately 35,000 counting officials and agents of candidates, to be engaged in the process, have got themselves tested on April 30 in pre-identified and notified testing centres.
6: 25 IST, May 2nd 2021
In a key development on April 2, BJP star campaigner Himanta Biswa Sarma was barred from campaigning for the Assam Assembly polls for a period of 48 hours. This effectively implied that the Assam Minister could no longer participate in electioneering as the campaigning for the last phase of the Assembly election was scheduled to end on April 4. The poll body's order came on Congress' complaint against the NEDA convenor for allegedly threatening BPF president Hagrama Mohilary. BPF which was BJP's ally decided to join the Congress-led 'Mahajot' alliance ahead of the Assam Assembly polls.
Accusing Sarma of saying that the NIA will implicate Mohilary and send him to jail, the party stressed that this was an attempt to influence the voters against voting for Mahajot by "unconstitutional means". To buttress its claim, it attached a newspaper clipping dated March 29. Strongly condemning his remarks, the EC invoked its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution. However, Sarma was eventually able to campaign as the EC reduced his electioneering ban to 24 hours after he tendered an apology.
Another controversy arose when Mahajot's Tamulpur candidate Rangja Basumatary joined the saffron party on April 1, just 5 days ahead of the third phase of the Assam polls. NDA had a relatively easy ride as the opposition tie-up could not field a new candidate and Basumatary endorsed Leho Ram Boro, a candidate of the United People's Party Liberal- an ally of BJP. Furthermore, both the Election Commission and the Supreme Court refused to accept Mahajot's plea seeking postponement of the polling in Tamulpur.
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6: 23 IST, May 2nd 2021
The BJP's election manifesto titled Sankalp Patra reiterates the implementation of NRC to protect the indigenous rights as well as developmental promises for women, youths of Assam. Its 10 commitments include building big reservoirs around the Brahmaputra river, providing financial aid of Rs.3000 to 30 lakh deserving families under the Orunodoi Scheme and Rs.2.5 lakh each to all 'naamghars' to improve their infrastructure. Additionally, it vowed to remove encroachers, speed up the delimitation process, give land rights to all landless people and provide free education in all government schools.
The JP Nadda-led party also promised to create 2,00,000 entrepreneurs every year and make Assam a self-reliant state in food products through macro and micro-planning. Whereas Congress in its manifesto has given five guarantees - Law against CAA, 5 lakh government jobs, Rs 365 daily wages to tea garden workers, Rs 2000/month to housewives, and 200 units of free electricity to each household.
6: 23 IST, May 2nd 2021
1.Majuli: Sarbananda Sonowal (BJP) vs Rajib Lochan Pegu (Congress)
A constituency reserved under the ST category, Majuli will witness incumbent CM Sarbananda Sonowal seeking re-election. It is pertinent to note that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ex-Congress president Rahul Gandhi have campaigned in this region. In the 2016 Assembly polls, Sonowal had scored a major upset by defeating Congress' Rajib Lochan Pegu who had won the seat thrice in a row since 2001. The margin of victory was 18,923 votes. It promises to be an interesting fight again with Congress again fielding Pegu while Bhaity Richong of the SUCI (Communist) party and Sishudar Doley of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) are other key candidates. Some of the key issues in the constituency include the damage caused due to floods and soil erosion.
2. Sibsagar: Surabhi Rajkonwari (BJP) vs Akhil Gogoi (Raijor Dal) vs Subhramitra Gogoi (Congress)
In the 2016 Assembly polls, former Speaker and Congress leader Pranab Kumar Gogoi won the Sibsagar seat by a very narrow margin. The runner-up Surabhi Rajkonwar has again been given a ticket by BJP. As Gogoi passed away in February 2020, Congress has nominated Subhramitra Gogoi for this seat. They face a formidable challenger in the form of incarcerated activist and Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi. He was arrested by the NIA in December 2019 for his alleged role in violence during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. However, he has sent mixed signals with his recent appeal urging people to vote for the strongest non-BJP candidate in each constituency.
3. Jorhat: Hitendra Nath Goswami (BJP) vs Rana Goswami (Congress)
Jorhat is perceived as another prestigious seat for BJP as Assam Assembly Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami is seeking re-election from here. In the 2016 election, Goswami had trounced Rana Goswami of Congress by a margin of more than 13,000 votes. This seat falls under the Jorhat district. Saturday promises to be yet another direct contest between Hirendra Goswami and Congress' Rana Goswami. Nirod Changkakoti of the AJP is another important candidate in the poll fray.
4. Bokakhat: Atul Bora (AGP) vs Mridul Saikia (NCP)
A traditional stronghold of Congress, Bokakhat was wrested by BJP's ally Asom Gana Parishad. AGP president and state Agriculture Minister Atul Bora created history in the 2016 Assembly polls by becoming the first non-Congress candidate to win from this constituency. He has served as the founder-chairman of the North-East Students' Coordination Committee and the AASU chief in the past. While Congress' Arun Phukan was his contender in the last election, NCP's Mridul Saikia and AJP's Reba Gogoi are the main opposition candidates on this occasion. In the recent past, AGP has faced a lot of flak for persisting with the BJP-led ruling alliance despite the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act.
5. Panery: Biswajit Daimary (BJP) vs Karuna Kanta Swargiary (BPF)
Falling under the Mangaldoi Lok Sabha segment, the Panery constituency is a part of the Kamrup district. Interestingly, BJP has fielded Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary from this seat. A one-term MLA, Daimary was a member of the Upper House belonging to the Nagaland People's Front until November 2020 when he defected to the JP Nadda-led party.
In February 2021, he was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha. Panery was won by Kamali Basumatari of BPF in the 2016 Assembly polls while the runner-up was Independent candidate Nanda Ram Baro. It is pertinent to note that BPF joined the Congress-led Mahajot alliance in the lead-up to the Assembly election. BPF's Karuna Kanta Swargiary is the key challenger to Daimary.
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6: 19 IST, May 2nd 2021
The 2016 assembly elections witnessed a change of power in the northeastern state as the Congress under Tarun Gogoi led government since 2001 lost its majority after three terms to the BJP with Sarbananda Sonowal becoming the chief minister.
The BJP won 86 seats in the 2016 assembly polls, which was a major rise by 60 seats, as compared to the 26 seats in the 2011 assembly elections. The Congress won only 26 seats in the 2016 elections as against the 78 seats in 2011, a downfall of 52 seats.
6: 19 IST, May 2nd 2021
BJP is seeking a second term in the 2021 elections but the party went to the polls without announcing the incumbent Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal as the CM face for a second term.
Moreover, Himanta Biswa Sarma who joined the BJP in August 2015 from the Congress is one of the strongest contenders for the chief ministerial position, considering his popularity in the entire northeastern region. Besides, Sarma also holds a number of portfolios including Finance and Health in the Assam cabinet.
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6: 19 IST, May 2nd 2021
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Titabar: This is the first election in a long time when one of Assam's stalwart politicians Tarun Gogoi is not in the poll fray. Having represented Titabar for 4 straight terms since 2001, the ex-CM passed away in November 2020 owing to post COVID-19 complications. While there was speculation that his son and Kaliabor Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi would contest in his place, Congress has given the ticket to Bhaskar Jyoti Baruah. On the other hand, a resurgent BJP has fielded Hemanta Kalita who won from this constituency in 1996. Sailendra Kumar Hazarika of the AJP is the other prominent challenger.
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Gohpur: Falling under the Tezpur Lok Sabha segment, Gohpur is a part of the Biswanath district. The result in this constituency assumes great significance as Assam Congress president Ripun Bora is contesting from here. Bora made a political comeback after being discharged in the Daniel Topno murder case in 2014 by bagging a Rajya Sabha ticket two years later. While his wife Monica Bora won this seat in 2011, she lost to BJP's Utpal Borah in the previous Assembly polls. This time also, BJP has reposed faith in Borah retaining Gohpur.
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Katigora: 6-time MLA Gautam Roy is contesting as the BJP candidate from Katigora in the Cachar district. The 72-year-old politician represented the Katlichera constituency continuously from 1985 to 2016 and even served in ex-CM Tarun Gogoi's Cabinet. However, he suffered a shocking defeat to AIUDF's Suzam Uddin Laskar in the previous election. After the Congress party suspended him for anti-party activities, he joined the saffron party in 2019. In the 2016 polls, BJP's Amar Chand Jain had defeated AIUDF's Khalil Uddin Mazumder with a slender margin of over 8,000 votes. On this occasion, Jain was shifted to Katlichera while Roy was asked to contest from here. Additionally, Khalil Uddin Mazumder is fighting the polls on a Congress ticket.
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Jamunamukh: Considered an AIUDF stronghold, Jamunamukh shall see a direct faceoff between Asom Gana Parishad's Sadik Ullah Bhuyan and AIUDF's Sirajuddin Ajmal. The latter is the brother of AIUDF supremo and Lok Sabha MP Badruddin Ajmal. Garnering 42.57% of the vote share in the 2016 polls, AIUDF's Rahim Ajmal beat Rejaul Karim Chowdhury by over 13,000 votes. Incidentally, Sirajuddin Ajmal had comfortably won this seat in 2011 when Chowdhury contested as a Congress candidate. TMC's Rezwan Ahmed, AJP's Bodrul Haque and JD(U)'s Jahirul Islam Laskar are also in the poll fray.
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Jalukbari: With Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the poll fray, Jalukbari is one of the most important constituencies going to the polls. In the last election, Sarma registered a mammoth victory over his Congress opponent Niren Deka by a margin of 85,945. On this occasion, Congress has given a ticket to Romen Chandra Borthakur. As BJP has not declared Sarbananda Sonowal as its CM face, there is speculation that the NEDA convenor might tip him to the top post. Incidentally, his campaign has been plagued by some controversies in the last few days.
5: 30 IST, May 2nd 2021
At a time when the country has been fighting against the second wave of the novel coronavirus, four states and one Union Territory is waiting for new governments to take charge. As the counting of votes commences on May 2, the BJP is looking to create history in Assam- become the only non-Congress government to win consecutive terms. However, for the saffron party, this election was very different from the other states as Assam was the only place where it was fighting to retain power.
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12: 13 IST, May 2nd 2021
The Republic-CNX exit poll on April 29 has given the BJP led NDA alliance, a sufficient majority in Assam projecting to win anywhere between 74 to 84 seats out of the 126 seats that went to polls in three phases.
According to the exit poll, BJP is set to become the single largest party with NDA projected to win over 44% vote share, while the Congress-led Mahajot alliance is predicted to win 40-50 seats with a vote share of 39.65%.
Party-wise projections :-
BJP : 60-66 seats
Congress : 26-28 seats
AGP : 10-14 seats
AIUDF : 11-13 seats
BPF : 5-7 seats
UPPL : 3-5 seats
Others : 1-3.
Alliance-wise projections:-
NDA:
BJP: 60-66 seats
AGP: 10-14 seats
UPPL: 3-5 seats
UPA:
Congress: 26-28 seats
AIUDF: 11-13 seats
BPF: 5-7 seats
Others: 1-3
CNX methodology
To understand that which party has the edge after voting in the state, CNX, a Delhi-based research and survey agency, conducted the exit poll survey at the polling booths in Assam. The focus of the survey was to gauge the mood of the ordinary people on the street. Finding out the opinions of the man on the street was the major concern of the survey.
A list of questions was prepared by the Republic-CNX team to understand the possible voting behaviour of the Bengali people in the assembly elections in the state. A quantitative survey using a structured questionnaire was administered randomly to 15,120 men and women from section A and section B households, in the age group of 18 to 60. The survey team visited all the 126 Assembly seats in the states going deep into by-lanes and meeting people from all walks of life.
Published May 2nd, 2021 at 00:13 IST
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