Assam CM Predicts BJP's Strong Performance in Upcoming Assembly Elections
BJP's Election Prospects in Assam
On Sunday, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, expressed confidence that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are likely to secure 103 out of 126 seats in the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for March-April. Speaking at an event in the Dimoria area of Kamrup Metropolitan District, Sarma stated, "I cannot provide an exact figure, but we have a chance to win 103 seats this time." He noted that the previous estimate was around 90 seats, but due to the recent delimitation, this number has increased by 13-15 seats.
In a notification released late Saturday by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), it was announced that party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been appointed as the chairperson of the party's selection committee for the upcoming Assam assembly elections. The Election Commission completed the delimitation of the state's 126 assembly and 14 parliamentary seats in August 2023, resulting in significant reallocation of constituencies in both categories. The BJP had previously stated that this process would help secure most seats for the indigenous population of the state.
Sarma emphasized that the BJP and its allied parties will contest the elections with full strength for the 103 seats, while the chances of winning the remaining 23-24 seats are minimal, indicating that those would be symbolic contests. He mentioned that voters might grant them 100, 90, or even 80 seats from the 103 where they expect to face tough competition. Currently, the BJP is in alliance with three regional parties in Assam: the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), and the Bodoland People's Front (BPF). However, no agreement has been reached yet regarding the distribution of seats among these parties.
Meanwhile, Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi announced that his party will contest 100 seats, leaving the remaining 26 for potential allies such as the Raijor Dal, Assam Ethnic Council, and CPI(M). Gogoi also clarified that the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) will not be part of the opposition alliance.