In Assam’s election, welfare and infrastructure hog the limelight
Assam, which has a 126-member assembly, votes on 9 April, with counting scheduled for 4 May along with other poll-bound states. In the 2021 election, the BJP won 60 seats with a 33.2% vote share, while the Congress won 29 seats and cornered a vote share of 29.2%.There is much at stake both for the ruling BJP and the main opposition Congress, and for the two state leaders leading these respective camps: CM Sarma and Gaurav Gogoi.With this election, the BJP will seek a third consecutive term in power.
The stakes are even bigger for Sarma, who is seeking re-election as chief minister for the first time. In 2021, then chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal led the BJP to a second term, but Sarma, with his mass presence, organizational hold and the high command’s blessings, took the coveted post.Sarma is quite unequivocally the face of the BJP in this election, unlike earlier when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the trump card and the go-to name for voters.
If in 2021, those supporting the BJP cited Modi and his work as the main factor (and those opposed blamed him), in 2026, it is Sarma or “mama” that is synonymous with the BJP.Nipen Rompi of Morigaon, says he will support “mama” because of all the development work done by him, the infrastructure boost and welfare schemes for the needy. On the other hand, Pranab Jyoti Bora of Hajo says he wants to see a change in regime because he does not quite appreciate the CM’s public conduct and political language.For the Congress, this is a battle for survival.
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