Although there was no doubt that the ruling BJP-led alliance in Assam will form the government, there was little clarity about the next chief minister in the state, with Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma adding to the mystery by declaring only that the next CM would be from the BJP, without naming Sarbananda Sonowal, the CM of the outgoing government.
The party, which fought in alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the United People’s Party Liberal, had originally claimed it would win 100 seats. But the BJP chief in the state, Ranjeet Das, claimed hours before the result that the BJP would win 83 seats. The party could fall short of this figure as it is currently well ahead in 78 of the state s 126 Assembly constituencies. The Opposition Grand Alliance spearheaded by the Congress is ahead in 45 constituencies, but has given up hope of forming a government.
Saffron gains
A victory may have eluded the BJP in West Bengal but it still managed to better its political position in the state.
The BJP has won 77 seats in West Bengal, a massive gain of 74 seats compared to the previous assembly elections.
The saffron party had gone full throttle to win the state and was hoping to win over 200 seats. In that context, it is definitely an underwhelming tally. But in statistical terms, it is still a remarkable gain and would further solidify its position as a strong challenger.
In Tamil Nadu too, there was something to cheer for the saffron party which is in alliance with the AIADMK.
The party will decide who will be the Chief Minister of Assam : Himanta Sarma of BJP naveenbharat.in - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from naveenbharat.in Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Assam Congress chief resigns over party s poor performance
By IANS |
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Guwahati, May 3 : Congress Assam unit President Ripun Bora resigned on Sunday, taking moral responsibility to the party s defeat in the Assembly elections.
Bora, who is a Rajya Sabha member, himself also lost the election in the Gohpur Assembly seat to the Bharatiya Janata Party s Utpal Borah by a margin of 29,294 votes.
In his resignation letter to Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi, Bora said that taking the responsibility for the party s humiliating defeat in the Assam Assembly election, he is stepping down from his post. I am extremely saddened and disheartened to inform you that despite my immense hard work, we were unable to combat the divisive and communal politics played by the BJP and RSS. Despite all the odds, I did the best in my capacity to revive the party during the last four years as President of Assam PCC, the 65-year-old leader said in his resignation letter