Political parties in Assam urge EC for free, fair elections
Political parties in Assam asserted on Sunday that they are fully prepared for the Assembly elections to be held in a single phase on April 9, with the Opposition camp urging the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polls.
They maintained that the short period in the run-up to the elections will not hamper poll prospects in any manner.
BJP senior spokesperson Rupam Goswami claimed the public has already made their choice and the party is confident of forming the Government for a third straight time in the State.
“As a party, the BJP is always ready to face any elections. Our preparations are complete. The candidate list will also be declared soon,” he said.
He maintained that the voters have also made up their minds on whom to support, with the ruling BJP-led alliance comfortably ahead of the opposition in this regard.
“The people know who to vote for. It is also good that the elections will be over before Bohag Bihu and all can celebrate the Assamese New Year,” Goswami added.
The BJP senior spokesperson further said that the single-phase election reflects the return of peace and efficiency of the Government, which will be beneficial for the people.
State Congress media department chairman Bedabrata Bora said the party is fully prepared for the elections.
“We already had an inkling that it will be a single-phase election in the first quarter of April. Our preparations were on in that line, and we are ready for it,” he said.
“That is why two lists of our party candidates have already been published,” Bora added.
The Congress leader emphasised that the only concern was for the EC to ensure free and fair elections.
Opposition AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal also stressed the need for free and fair elections.
“Our party is ready for the elections. But the EC has to ensure that it is a free and fair one, and there is no ‘vote chori’,” he said.
Ajmal also urged the youth to come out and vote to elect the new Government.
“We will be contesting in 25-30 seats and preparations are complete for it,” the former MP added.
The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) alleged that the decision to complete the entire election process in the State within just three weeks effectively benefits the ruling BJP.
In a press statement, AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi and general secretary Jagadish Bhuyan said the “ruling party has abundant financial resources and control over the Government machinery, enabling it to conduct widespread election campaigns across the State, including the use of helicopters to travel extensively.”
“Opposition parties, however, do not enjoy such resources and will face serious difficulties in organising their campaigns within such a limited time frame,” they added.
Counting of votes will be undertaken on May 4. In the current 126-member Assam Assembly, the ruling BJP’s strength is 64, while its allies AGP has nine MLAs, UPPL has seven and BPF has three members.
In the Opposition camp, the Congress has 26 MLAs, AIUDF has 15 members, and CPI(M) has one MLA. There is one Independent legislator as well.
