Assam polls 2021: Key players, issues & poll pitches

GUWAHATI:

With the poll dates announced, Assam is all set to witness a "triangular battle" with the BJP seeking to retain power, the Congress and Ajmal-led AIUDF's Grand Alliance seeking to overthrow the saffron party and the AJP-Raijor Dal Regional Alliance seeking to free Assam from national parties.

Polling to the 126 seats in Assam will take place in three phases -- In the first phase for the 47 assembly segments, the polls will be held on March 27, followed by the 2nd phase for 39 constituencies on April 1 and the third phase for 40 seats on April 6. The counting of votes will be on May 2.

After achieving the "Congress-mukt Northeast" mission starting with Assam, this will be the first time for the BJP to seek the mandate to lead the government once again.  

However this time, it wouldn't be a smooth ride for the BJP as the Congress has formed a Mahagath Bandhan/Grand Alliance with Badaruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF, regional party - Anchalik Gana Morcha (AGM) and three left parties.

Aside from that, the two regional parties born out of the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests -- Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), formed by former members of All Assam Students' Union (AASU), and other civil society groups and Raijor Dol, formed by the supporters of noted activist Akhil Gogoi.

The AJP and Raijor Dol has formed a regional alliance, turning the Assam polls into a triangular battle.

Also Read: ECI announces dates for Assam Assembly elections

Snippets

> Two-time Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta might miss the polls since he has been unwell.

> This will be the first election for Congress without political stalwart Tarun Gogoi.

> BJP is also not projecting any Chief Minister candidate this time to avoid a possible tussle between Sarbananda Sonowal and Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Here are the key issues for the 2021 Assam elections:

-Citizenship Amendment Act

-Implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord

-Flood/erosion problem

-Influx, Bangladesh border sealing

-Hike in prices of fuel, LPG and essential edibles

-Minimum tea wages per day (Tea workers have been demanding Rs 351 per day)

Here are the key winners in the 2016 elections:

1.Sarbananda Sonowal- BJP representing Majuli constituency

2.Himanta Biswa Sarma- BJP representing Jalukbari constituency

3.Chandan Brahma- BPF representing Sidli constituency

4.Ramendra Narayan Kalita- AGP representing Gauhati West constituency

5.Chandra Mohan Patowary- BJP representing Dharmapur constituency

Also Read: Surrendered insurgent groups from Karbi Anglong unhappy with Assam Govt’s attitude on peace accord

6.Padma Hazarika- BJP representing Sootea constituency

7.Prafulla Kumar Mahanta- AGP representing Barhampur constituency

8.Rakibul Hussain- Congress representing Samaguri constituency

9.Phani Bhusan Choudhury- AGP representing Bongaigaon constituency

10.Parimal Suklabaidya- BJP representing Dholai constituency

11.Pramila Rani Brahma- BPF representing Kokrajhar East constituency

12.Atul Bora- BJP representing Dispur constituency

13.Brindaban Goswami- AGP representing Tezpur constituency

14.Debabrata Saikia- Congress representing Nazira constituency

15.Prasanta Phukan- BJP representing Dibrugarh constituency

16.Ranjit Dutta- BJP representing Behali constituency

SPECIAL MENTION

17. (Late) Tarun Gogoi- Congress representing Titabor constituency

Key poll pitches and issues of each major alliance:

> BJP pitches to protect the rights, land culture and language of the indigenous communities of Assam against the migrant settlers from the Bengali-Muslim community

> Development and flood-free Assam is also another major pitch of the BJP

> BJP's promise to repay microfinance loans

> Congress pitches rollback of CAA if voted to power

> Launch of the Congress' high-intensity Axom Basaon Ahok' (Come, lets Save Assam campaign)

> Congress pitches for Rs. 365 per day daily wages for tea garden workers

> AJP+Raijor Dal alliance pitches to drive away illegal migrants as per the Assam accord irrespective of religion

> Regional alliance promises the total rollback of CAA and release of Akhil Gogoi

(Edited by Ladiangti Rani and Ibankyntiew Mawrie)

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