Saffron conquers Assam

The Bharatiya Janata Party is all set to form government in Assam, along with its alliance partners AGP and BPF, bringing an end to 15 years of Congress rule by winning 86 seats.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi conceded defeat and congratulated the BJP and its chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal, who said that the priority of the new government would be to protect the interests of “greater Assamese society”.

Attributing credit for the victory of the party to all the ethnic and indigenous people of the state, Mr Sonowal clarified that his government would like to work with its alliance partners without any prejudice.

Mr Sonowal, who also reiterated his commitment for the vision document of the party, said that his mission would be to work for the welfare of all sections of people.

Earlier during the day as counting began, the BJP alliance sprinted past the halfway mark and held on their lead in 87 constituencies. The Congress, on the other hand, had improved on their sputtering start and stretched their tally to 25 seats.

Mr Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF threatened to overtake the ruling Congress and finish third at one point, but as the day progressed, its lead was cut down to just 15 seats.

Former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta’s AGP, which had contested in just 25 seats, secured 14 seats. Mr Mahanta himself was elected from Barahampur a seventh time in a row and his party president Atul Bora was also elected from Bokakhat.

The BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal won in Majuli and so did former Congress strongman Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was contesting on a BJP ticket from Jalukbari, with a margin of over 85,000 votes.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi defeated his nearest rival of the BJP and MP from Jorhat Kamakhya Tasa in Titabar.

Three-time state chief minister Tarun Gogoi said that they will introspect their defeat. “We accept the verdict of the people and will play the role of a constructive Opposition,” said Mr Gogoi, who also turned down the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hang his boots. “I will remain in active politics. I am not going to retire,” said the 82-year old chief minister while informing that he had congratulated Mr Sonowal for his victory.

Meanwhile, celebrations started in the BJP-led alliance as party workers and supporters celebrated the victory of the party all across the state by bursting crackers and playing Holi outside their party’s headquarters.