State Elections 2021: Assam
By Nava Thakuria*
Guwahati: As the Bharatiya Janata Party-led ruling alliance expects an easy electoral victory in Assam assembly elections this time, the main opposition party Indian National Congress remains upbeat with the entry of Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), which has left the ruling alliance to join hands with the Congress led grand alliance. BPF leader Hagrama Mohilary announced the decision to join the Mohajoat comprising of Congress, AIUDF, CPI, CPM, CPI(ML), and Anchalik Gana Morcha.
The BPF had won all the 12 seats from Bodoland in the 126-member state assembly in the last elections. In the run up to the state elections, it had severed ties with the BJP-led ruling coalition in which it had three ministers in the council of ministers in the state. BPF leaders claim that the BJP could ensure victory in as many as 27 assembly seats in the 2016 polls only because of their support. Incidentally, In 2006 and 2011, the BPF was part of the Congress-led government in Assam but had parted ways with the Congress before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
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Even now there is no reason for the BPF chief Hagrama to share the 12 assembly seats inside Bodoland Territorial Region (in lower and middle Assam) with any political party. The party won 17 seats (out of 40) in the recently concluded BTC polls but yet he was not taken with by the saffron party. But after the polls, if the BPF can win 5 to 10 assembly seats, it is assumed that Hagrama could support the new government (may be led by BJP) in need.
The Congress is also rigorously campaigning with five guarantees to the electorate including the commitment to nullify the citizenship amendment act (CAA), which witnessed public demonstrations in the Brahmaputra valley. It also promises to create five lakh government jobs, hike of tea plantation workers’ daily wage to ₹ 365, offer free electricity up to 200 units for every household and sanctioning ₹ 2,000 monthly income for housewives.
Amidst all, the newly formed Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP), led by former All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi, is expected to pose electoral challenges to both BJP and Congress led alliances. Another new party Raijor Dol, led by peasant activist Akhil Gogoi, who incidentally remains behind bars since December 2019 on sedition charges, is joining with the AJP to make a difference in the polls.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its first list of 70 candidates where State chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal figured as earlier from Majuli seat. State finance, health, education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will seek re-election from Jalukbari, where BJP State president Ranjeet Kr Dass will contest for Patacharkuchi assembly constituency.
The outgoing assembly speaker Hitendranath Goswami will seek re-election from Jorhat. Similarly, outgoing ministers namely Bhabesh Kalita (from Rangia), Parimal Suklabaidya (Dholai), Pijush Hazarika (Jagiroad), Ranjit Dutta (Behali), Naba Kumar Doley (Dhakuakhana) etc will go for re-election from respective constituencies.
BJP legislators Angoorlata Deka (Batadrava), Mrinal Saikia (Khumtai), Padma Hazarika (Sootea), Prasanta Phukan (Dibrugarh), Bhaskar Sharma (Margherita), Numal Momin (Bokajan), Bidyasing Engleng (Diphu), Ashok Singhal (Dhekiajuli), Bolin Chetia (Sadiya), Ranoj Pegu from Dhemaji, got party tickets including Jayanta Malla Barua (Nalbari), Bhuban Pegu (Jonai), Ajanta Neog (Golaghat), Gautam Roy (Katighora) who emerged lucky.
The BJP’s primary alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is scheduled to contest for 26 seats, where as another ally United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) will fight for 8 seats. Similarly, Gana Suraksha Party is going to field its candidate in one seat out of 126 assembly constituencies of the State. The saffron list comprises four women and one Muslim candidate.
The AGP legislator and former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta was denied the party ticket from Barhampur constituency and he now revives AGP (Progressive) party for seeking re-election from the same seat. AGP president and a State minister Atul Bora is fighting again for Bokakhat and another minister Keshab Mahanta will contest from Kaliabor constituency.
As the first phase polling for Assam legislative assembly elections is approaching, the State electoral department released the mascots Bohag and Bohagi for creating more awareness among the voters. The mascots, derived from the State’s largest spring festival Rongali Bihu, are expected to motivate the electorates to come forward for exercising their franchises.
Assam chief electoral officer Nitin Khade recently introduced four icons comprising para-cyclist Rakesh Banik, actor Kapil Bora, singer Aninidita Paul and admired cricketer Riyan Parag. He informed that in order to ensure the conduct of free, fair and safe polling, the district election officers are presently holding workshops and awareness camps to educate the voters about the practice of ethical voting.
Meanwhile, the notification for second phase of polls covering 39 assembly constituencies was issued. The first phase will cover 47 constituencies and go to polls on 27 March. The second phase polling will take place on April 1 and the third & final phase (covering 40 seats) has been fixed on 6 April. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 2, 2021.
*Senior journalist based in Guwahati
