In Assam, it’s Congress’ arithmetic versus BJP’s chemistry
April 01, 2021
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Congress has cobbled up a grand alliance, but the BJP’s aggressive welfarism, identity politics may prove to be more than a match
The reason why opinion polls predict an “upper hand” but not a sweep for the BJP in Assam is that the ruling coalition two-pronged strategy of aggressive welfarism and identity politics catalyses the electoral chemistry in their favour, while the sheer arithmetic still favours the Congress-led opposition alliance.
The Opposition alliance is just ten seats behind the NDA in most of the surveys. What is not to be overlooked in Assam is that the combined vote share of the Congress, AUDF, Bodo People’s Front, Left parties, RJD et al is over 45 per cent. What the BJP has going for it, besides being the party in power, is that it has a formidable election machinery and an impressive record in improving delivery systems and direct cash transfers to the people.