The BJP has set an ambitious target in Assam where polls are due alongside West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
To start with, the BJP had won 67 seats in 2021 and the total NDA seats were 86. This time the much ambitious BJP target is 80 to 100 seats. The Lotus party also wants to win a few seats held by Congress and also AIUDF, which remains a Muslim-friendly party.
But this is easier said than done.
A boothworker Sanjeev Dutta in Hailakandi area of Barak valley says : "One area of concern in some of the AIUDF held seats is that Muslims are slowly turning away from Badruddin Ajmal led party. That means Bengali Muslims in particular may turn in favaour of the Congress". Agreeing with him, shopkeeper Dinesh Sen says - "If Congress starts getting Muslim support, the grand old party may get back its rhythm that had been missing so far".
In 2021; while the Congress could pick up 22 -- the AIUDF had won 15. The assembly constituencies such as Sonai, Hailakandi and Badarpur held by AIUDF will thus see intense fighting.
The Congress has started focusing on Borkhola seat and has identified one popular medico Dr Amit Kalowar. This has almost ruffled the political applecart in two other constutuencies Udarbondh and Lakhipur.
In Udarbondh; there are chances two time sitting legislator Mihir Kanti Shome of BJP. This is a safe BJP seat due to demography and hence as many as 14-15 Lotus party leaders have emerged as ticket aspirants.
There is also an outsider factor working as a non Bengali and Bhojpuri speaking Rajdeep Gwala from Lakhipur has sought tickets.
"Mr Gwala has started distribting money and has brought party workers from Lakhipur. This is being opposed by local BJP workers," says Ajay Das, a local resident.
Others also feel things are turning so complex that any Independent candidate may emerge as a dark horse in the long run.
The constituency has about 33,000 tea garden workers, 15000 Hindi speaking people, 75,000 Bengali Hindus and 55 000 Muslim population.
Among the BJP ticket aspirants are H Shekhar Das,Mithu Nath and Joy Jyoti De.
Outside Barak Valley; BJP is keen to win CPI-M held Sarbhog assembly segment. From the Congress kitty, the pro-Hindutva outfit wamts to wrest two seats in Goalpara region, Barpeta, Karimganj North and also Golakganj.
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With Union Home Minister Amit Shah on a visit to Assam, the Congress on Friday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, posing 10 pointed questions and asking why the people of Assam and the entire Northeast have been “politically orphaned” despite a decade of BJP rule.
At the forefront of the Congress’s criticism was the continued delay in granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised ST status within six months. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma promised it in five years. It has now been 12 years. Why is there still no ST status for the Koch-Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Moran, Matak, Chutia and the Tea Tribes/Adivasi?” Congress leader Pawan Khera asked.
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Khera questioned why the government had “enabled the sale of 1.5 lakh bighas of land belonging to Assam’s indigenous people to cronies” and why Sarma was allegedly being given a free hand in such matters.
Raising concerns over employment and migration, Khera said that while land, rivers and forests were being “handed away,” job opportunities remained scarce. “Why are Assamese youths forced to migrate to other states and face discrimination there?” he asked.
The erosion of Assamese identity also featured prominently in the Congress’s attack. Khera questioned why lakhs of indigenous voters had allegedly disappeared from electoral rolls and why the government had failed to safeguard cultural and demographic interests.
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