Battle for Assam: BJP eyes Congress bastion

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) looked optimistic of forming the government in Assam under the leadership of Sarbananda Sonowal

The Congress and BJP locked horns as counting for the high-voltage assembly polls in five states began today with the grand old party asserting that it would form the government in Assam despite the anti-incumbency factor while the saffron party stating that it would conquer the throne of Dispur as per the early trends.

"We have been in power for the last 15 years but I am sure that we will form the government despite the anti-incumbency factor," Mahila Congress president Shobha Ojha told ANI.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) looked optimistic of forming the government in Assam under the leadership of Sarbananda.

"As per the early trends, the BJP is in a very good position in Assam. We expect the Bharatiya Janata Party to form the government in Assam," said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.

In Assam, the counting of votes is being held at 51 centres across the state.

The fate of 1064 candidates, including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, BJP's chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal and AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal will be revealed today.

As per the latest information, the BJP is leading in Dibrugarh,Moran,Lahoal and Tingkhong assembly seats.

The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for providing online information of trends and results of counting.

It is expected that the process will be completed within six to seven hours and a final picture will emerge by noon.