In Assam, it’s Congress’ arithmetic versus BJP’s chemistry
April 01, 2021
×
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.
EC issues show cause notice to BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma
SECTIONS
Last Updated: Apr 01, 2021, 04:20 PM IST
Share
Synopsis
The notice to Sarma cited various provisions of the model code, including the one dealing with refraining from making unverified allegations against political rivals and, avoiding corrupt practices and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters.
PTI
The Election Commission on Thursday issued a show cause notice to Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly making threatening remarks against opposition leader Hagrama Mohilary of the Bodoland People s Front.
He has been asked to respond to the notice by 5 pm on April 2.
Assam polls: 73.03 pc voter turnout recorded till 5.30 pm ANI | Updated: Apr 01, 2021 17:40 IST
Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 1 (ANI): Assam recorded a voter turnout of 73.03 per cent till 5.30 pm on Thursday across 39 constituencies in 13 districts during the second phase of the state assembly polls, according to the Election Commission (EC).
The second phase of polling for assembly elections in the states of West Bengal and Assam began at 7 am on Thursday and is currently underway.
Voting for the second and penultimate phase of Assam assembly elections was temporarily stopped at polling stations at Silchar and Nagaon due to EVM malfunctions.
Over 73.44 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in the second phase of the elections. Of them, 37,34,537 are male voters and 36,09,959 are female voters, while 135 are third gender voters. The voting will be held on 8,998 polling stations and 556 of them are all-women polling stations.
Updated:
The major news headlines of the day, and more.
Share Article
AAA
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee uses her phone as she arrives at a polling station during the second phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections at Boyal in Nandigram on April 1, 2021. | Photo Credit:
PTI
The major news headlines of the day, and more.
All eyes were on Nandigram where Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee is locked in a fierce prestige battle with confidante-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP in the second of the eight-phase elections.
The fate of five Ministers, the Deputy Speaker and a few significant Opposition faces will be decided as 39 seats went to the polls in the second phase.