Assam parties welcome LS polls dates for state

Major political parties in Assam, here on Sunday, welcomed the dates announced by the Election Commission (EC) for Lok Sabha polls in the state, even as the dates of first two phases clash with Rongali Bihu celebrations.

The 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam will go to polls in three phases on April 11, 18 and 23.

Senior Congress leader and former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the party was ready for the polls.

"The preparation for the polls is on. The party screening committee has sent names of two candidates for most constituencies to the party election panel," said Gogoi.

The Congres would contest all the 14 seats in the state, he added. "So far, the Congress has finalised two candidates for Silchar and Kaliabar Lok Sabha seats -- both sitting MPs," said Gogoi.

Senior BJP leader and Chairperson of Assam Petrochemicals Limited Jagadish Bhuyan welcomed the poll panel's decision to hold polls in three phases, saying the BJP is going to come out victorious once again.

"At present, there is no alternative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Through his development agenda, Modi has won hearts of people of the country in the last five years. We are going to the people highlighting developmental works by our governments at the Centre and in Assam," said Bhuyan.

The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) leaders are yet to make any comment on the poll dates.

--IANS

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