Campaigning for first phase of LS elections in Assam ends

Campaigning in five seats of Assam ended today for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 7, with no poll boycott call from the proscribed ULFA for the first time in three decades.
Neither factions of the ULFA, pro or anti-talk have issued diktats to the voters for boycott of the elections or made any statement against any political party.
The Congress, BJP, Trinamool Congress, AIUDF, AGP, AAP, SUCI, CPI(M), AIFB and SP are contesting in the five seats in Tezpur, Koliabor, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur in the Congress ruled state.
Among the 51 candidates, are union ministers Ranee Narah and Paban Singh Ghatowar, former union minister and sitting MLA Bijoy Krishna Handique, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's son Gourav Gogoi and Bhupen Kumar Bora for the Congress.

Congress rebel and Independent candidate Moni Kumar Subba is also contesting.
For the BJP are its state unit president Sorbananda Sonowal and Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and for the AGP Arun Kumar Sarma, Pradip Hazarika, Joseph Toppo.

A pro-talk ULFA commander Heera Sarania alias Naba Kumar Sarania, is contesting as an Independent with the support of several non-Bodo organisations there.
The thrust of the Congress during campaigning is economic reforms undertaken by the UPA, eradication of poverty schemes, MNREGA and social justice measures, particularly for the tea tribes and women.
It also took up the recurring flood and erosion problem, housing for the poor, welfare schemes for tea garden workers, Adivasis, backward classes and Self-Help Groups.