Assam Elections 2021: What The Numbers Spell For BJP and The Future of Regional Parties
- 3 years ago
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance is well on its way to ruling Assam for another term.
Counting started at 8 am in 331 designated halls where the Election Commission has put in place various measures to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, as the state has witnessed a surge in cases.
A three-tier security apparatus has also been installed outside the counting centres.
Prominent contestants include chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, senior minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP state president Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Asom Gana Parishad chief Atul Bora, and senior Congress leaders Ripun Bora and Debabrata Saikia.
Over 82% of the 2.33 crore voters have exercised their franchise during the polling held on March 27, April 1 and April 6.
Most exit polls have given a clear edge to the BJP, which is contesting the elections in alliance with the AGP and the United Peoples’ Party Liberal. The Congress, on the other hand, formed a ‘Grand Alliance’ with the All India United Democratic Front, Bodo People’s Front and several other parties.
While the BJP had contested 84 seats in the 2016 polls, it is contesting 92 seats in these elections. Its ally, AGP is contesting 26 seats, like it did in the 2016 polls, while the new ally, UPPL has fielded candidates in eight constituencies.
While Congress had contested 122 seats in the 2016 elections, this time round, it is contesting in 94 seats while its major allies, AIUDF and BPF, have fielded candidates in 14 and 12 seats respectively. The other allies – RJD, Anchalik Gana Morcha, CPI (M) and CPI(ML) – are contesting one seats each.
The Wire's National Affairs Editor, Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, breaks down what the current numbers spell for the BJP and the future of regional parties in the state.
Counting started at 8 am in 331 designated halls where the Election Commission has put in place various measures to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, as the state has witnessed a surge in cases.
A three-tier security apparatus has also been installed outside the counting centres.
Prominent contestants include chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, senior minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP state president Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Asom Gana Parishad chief Atul Bora, and senior Congress leaders Ripun Bora and Debabrata Saikia.
Over 82% of the 2.33 crore voters have exercised their franchise during the polling held on March 27, April 1 and April 6.
Most exit polls have given a clear edge to the BJP, which is contesting the elections in alliance with the AGP and the United Peoples’ Party Liberal. The Congress, on the other hand, formed a ‘Grand Alliance’ with the All India United Democratic Front, Bodo People’s Front and several other parties.
While the BJP had contested 84 seats in the 2016 polls, it is contesting 92 seats in these elections. Its ally, AGP is contesting 26 seats, like it did in the 2016 polls, while the new ally, UPPL has fielded candidates in eight constituencies.
While Congress had contested 122 seats in the 2016 elections, this time round, it is contesting in 94 seats while its major allies, AIUDF and BPF, have fielded candidates in 14 and 12 seats respectively. The other allies – RJD, Anchalik Gana Morcha, CPI (M) and CPI(ML) – are contesting one seats each.
The Wire's National Affairs Editor, Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, breaks down what the current numbers spell for the BJP and the future of regional parties in the state.