The political battleground of Assam braces for its conclusive showdown as the curtains draw on the final phase of the state elections, set to unfold on Tuesday.
With 47 contenders vying for victory across four pivotal Lok Sabha seats, the electoral fate of Assam hangs in the balance.
Polling stations across the constituencies of Kokrajhar (ST), Dhubri, Barpeta, and Guwahati will open their doors at 7 am, welcoming voters to exercise their democratic right until 5 pm.
All eyes are trained on the prestigious Guwahati seat, where the BJP and Congress have strategically fielded woman nominees, Bijuli Kalita Medhi and Mira Borthakur Goswami, respectively, adding a dynamic dimension to the electoral landscape.
Among the notable candidates are AIUDF stalwart Badruddin Ajmal, vying for a fourth consecutive term from Dhubri, Congress MLA Rakibul Hussain, and veteran Asom Gana Parishad legislator Phanibhushan Choudhury. CPI(M) MLA Manoranjan Talukdar also stands as a prominent contender.
In a display of electoral diversity, Barpeta witnesses a staggering 14 candidates in the fray, while Guwahati boasts the lowest count of eight. Notably, six women contenders step onto the electoral stage in this final phase.
The BJP strategically fields a single candidate for the Guwahati seat, reserving its alliance partners AGP for Dhubri and Barpeta, and the UPPL for Kokrajhar.
The electoral landscape further diversifies with the Congress and Voters Party International (VPI) contesting across all four seats, while various other parties including the BPF, Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Gana Parishad, SUCI(C), and Republican Party of India (Athawale) compete in two seats each.
AIUDF, CPI(M), Gana Suraksha Party, Hindu Samaj Party, Asom Jana Morcha, National Road Map Party of India, Rashtriya Ulema Council, Ekam Sanatan Bharat Dal, and Bahujan Maha Party add to the political mosaic, each contesting in one seat. Additionally, 16 independent candidates throw their hats into the ring.
A substantial electorate of 82.11 lakh, encompassing 41.27 million men, 40.84 million women, and 112 individuals identifying as the third gender, stands poised to cast their ballots across 9,516 polling stations.
Security measures are ramped up with 60 companies of security forces deployed across the constituencies, ensuring a safe and secure polling environment.
The electoral narrative in Guwahati unveils a direct face-off between BJP's Bijuli Kalita Medhi and Congress candidate Mira Borthakur Goswami, both political novices in the Lok Sabha arena.
In Barpeta, a triangular contest ensues among NDA partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) candidate Phanibhushan Choudhury, CPI(M)'s Manoranjan Talukdar, and Deep Bayan of the Congress.
Dhubri witnesses a riveting showdown with AIUDF heavyweight Badruddin Ajmal facing off against Congress MLA Rakibul Hussain and NDA ally AGP's Zaved Islam.
In Kokrajhar (ST), a triangular tussle brews between UPPL's Jayanta Basumtary, Congress’ Garjen Mushahary, and Bodoland People's Front's (BPF) Kampa Borgoyary, shaping the electoral landscape with diverse political hues.
The absence of sitting independent Kokrajhar MP Naba Kumar Sarania, following the rejection of his nomination due to a contested Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, adds an intriguing subplot to the electoral saga.
Assam Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel assures that all necessary arrangements are in place to conduct the polls in a free, fair, and peaceful manner.
In the preceding phases, held on April 19 and April 26, the electorate displayed robust participation, with 78.25% and 81.17% turnout, respectively, deciding the fate of candidates across various constituencies.
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