Assam

Assam assembly polls record nearly 76% turnout till 3pm as voting continues

A voter turnout of nearly 76 per cent was recorded till 3 pm on Thursday in the assembly elections in Assam, where the BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term in power, while the Congress is looking to reclaim a state it lost a decade ago. Polling began at 7 am for the 126-member assembly, and 75.91 per cent of the state's 2.5 crore voters had exercised their right till 3 pm, defying overcast skies and rains in many parts of the state. The polling will continue till 5 pm. In the 2021 assembly elections, held in three phases, voter turnout of around 82 per cent was recorded. A total of 722 candidates are in the fray in this single-phase election, which is largely witnessing a direct contest between the BJP-led ruling coalition and the opposition bloc helmed by the Congress. Chamaria in Kamrup recorded the highest turnout of 84.43 per cent till 3 pm, while New Guwahati witnessed the lowest at 60.57 per cent, officials said. This is the first assembly poll in the state after

Assam to vote on Thursday; BJP aims hat-trick, Congress eyes wresting power

The high-stakes elections to the 126-member Assam assembly will be held on Thursday, with most seats slated to witness a direct contest between the BJP-led NDA and the opposition coalition helmed by the Congress. The BJP is eyeing a third straight term in power in these elections, while the Congress is looking to wrest the state, from where it was ousted in 2016. A total of 722 candidates, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi, and AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi, are in the fray. Polling will be held from 7 am to 5 pm across 31,490 polling stations in 35 districts. A total of 2.50 crore people, including 1.25 crore women and 318 from the third gender, are eligible to vote. Among political parties, the Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. The AIUDF has 30 candidates, while NDA constituent

From Congress bastion to BJP stronghold: How Assam's politics has evolved

Assam is set to vote on April 9 in a closely watched election, with the BJP aiming to retain power and the Congress hoping to regain ground in a state shaped by identity politics and alliances

Fewer sittings, quicker Bill passage mark Assam Assembly's functioning

Assam Assembly saw reduced sitting days but faster lawmaking, with most Bills passed within a week, raising concerns over limited debate and legislative scrutiny

Tea tribe community at centre of Assam election battle amid welfare push

Welfare measures, wage hikes and land rights outreach intensify as parties compete for tea tribe votes amid persistent socio-economic challenges in Assam's plantation belt

Assam Assembly polls: The method behind BJP's 'immigrant' narrative

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has represented Jalukabari, which falls within the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat, consecutively since 2001

Cong keeps singing to Pak's tunes, compromising nation's security: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that while his government has carried out Operation Sindoor on terror camps in Pakistan, the Congress keeps on "singing to the tune of" the neighbouring country. On the development front, he alleged that the Congress had always taken a myopic view on the matter, while the BJP works towards ensuring long-term development of the nation. "The party always took short-term measures so that they could indulge in corruption. But the BJP looks far ahead while taking decisions for all-around development of all sections of society," Modi said. Addressing an election rally here in Assam's Barpeta district, the prime minister said the Congress has "always sung to Pakistan's tune". "This Pakistan connection compromises with the nation's security, and we can never allow that," he said. He also accused the Congress of neglecting the army by refusing to implement 'One Rank, One Pension'. But the BJP ensured that those who protect the nation get justice,

Cong made allegations against my wife using false info from Pak: Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday claimed the Congress has concocted the charge that his wife has multiple passports and owns properties in Dubai, using false information from a Pakistani social media group. He also alleged that Pakistan was trying to influence the outcome of the Assam elections. At a press conference here, a day after Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi sought to know whether his wife or family owns property in Dubai, has companies in the USA, or has placed their assets in shell companies, Sarma said these charges have been made to influence the poll results, which is "punishable under the law". The BJP leader also alleged that the documents the Congress used to make the allegations against his wife were sourced from a social media group "Pakistanis in Ajman", and her photo was morphed on a lost passport of a person from that country. "I am concerned that they took the help of Pakistan. This is not a simple fraud case but a crime against

BJP's two-pronged approach in Assam ahead of high-stakes Assembly polls

BJP blends welfare outreach to women with identity politics in Assam, as Himanta Biswa Sarma eyes a second term amid rising concerns over polarisation

PM, Assam CM have roadmap for tribal development in Assam, win must: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have prepared a roadmap for tribal development, and the BJP's return to power in the state will ensure its implementation. Addressing a rally in Dudhnoi in Goalpara district, Shah said that the Congress never made an Adivasi woman the country's President, but Modi changed that and Droupadi Murmu became the nation's first citizen. "A roadmap has been prepared by the PM and the Assam CM for the development of tribals... Vote for the BJP to ensure it is taken forward and implemented," he said. Shah also asserted that tribal areas will not come under the ambit of the Uniform Civil Code. On the recent violence in the adjoining Garo hills of Meghalaya, Shah said that infiltrators sought to capture power in the Garo council by marrying tribal women, and this led to the strife. "Give us another five years in power in Assam, and we will rid the state of infiltrators a

Singapore police findings won't affect Zubeen death case in Assam: Official

The proceedings in the Zubeen Garg death case in Assam will not be impacted in any way by Singapore Police concluding its probe by maintaining that there is no evidence of foul play, officials said here on Thursday. Assam Police's investigation here has been "comprehensive" and the charge sheet filed before the local court in Guwahati has been based on it, they maintained. "The investigation, findings and closure by Singapore Police into the drowning of Zubeen Garg in that country in September last year will have no bearing and impact on the ongoing proceedings in the fast-track court here," state Advocate General Devajit Saikia told PTI. "The charge sheet filed in Guwahati is on the basis of allegations of offences and premises which are different from those of the probe conducted by the Singapore Police," he maintained. The probe in the state had taken a more comprehensive and larger picture into account, going back to the happenings over the last couple of years, Special Directo

Congress trying to bring in law to protect infiltrators in Assam: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged that the Congress, if it comes to power in Assam, will bring in a law to protect infiltrators, which the BJP and its allies will not allow. Addressing a poll rally at Gogamukh in Dhemaji district, Modi said the Congress' aim is to "turn the majority community into a minority and create a permanent vote bank of infiltrators''. "Congress leaders are openly saying that they will bring in a new law in Assam to protect infiltrators and are openly supporting them," the PM alleged. He also accused the grand old party of "trying to divide the country as the Muslim League did during Partition". "The Congress have also stabbed the Constitution prepared by Babasaheb Ambedkar," Modi said. The Prime Minister said if the BJP returns to power, it will "implement the Uniform Civil Code and safeguard tribals under the Sixth schedule to protect Assam's identity". ''The BJP's 10-year rule heralded a new dawn of 'seva' (service) and 'sushasan' (good

PM Modi to address two rallies in Assam today ahead of Assembly polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address two public meetings in Assam on Wednesday as part of the BJP's ongoing assembly election campaign. According to the itinerary, Modi will first address a rally at Gogamukh in Dhemaji around 11 am before proceeding to Biswanath district, where he is expected to speak at a public meeting at 1 pm. Senior BJP leaders and state ministers are likely to be present at both venues, party sources said. At the first rally, the PM will campaign for state minister Ranoj Pegu and Naba Kumar Doley, who are contesting from Dhemaji and Dhakuakha assembly constituencies in Dhemaji district. He will campaign for party candidate and former minister Pallab Lochan Das at the second campaign rally at Behali. Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place at the rally sites, with personnel from central forces and the state police deployed to manage the crowd and ensure smooth conduct of the events, an official said.

BJP promises ₹5 trillion infra push in Assam, free LPG cylinders in Kerala

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday released the BJP's manifesto for the Assam assembly polls, promising protection of land, heritage and dignity of indigenous people and Rs 5 lakh crore infrastructure investment. BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' comprises 31 promises, including the recovery of encroached land from "Bangladeshi Miyas", implementing the Uniform Civil Code, and creating employment opportunities for youths. The manifesto pledged to protect the land, heritage and dignity of the indigenous people of Assam by implementing the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, to expedite the process of detection and pushback of illegal immigrants. The BJP also promised that it would strengthen the legislative protections to preserve the civilisation, heritage and rights of the people of Assam by implementing the UCC, excluding the Sixth Schedule and Tribal areas, to ensure the rights of ethnic communities. It pledged to "free every inch of land from encroachment by illeg

Health, land & women schemes: What BJP, Congress promise in Assam polls

The BJP and Congress have released their respective manifestos for the Assam Assembly polls, promising cash support for women, expanded health cover and welfare for senior citizens

'Secure, developed Assam': BJP releases manifesto for 2026 Assembly polls

BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' comprises 31 promises, including the recovery of encroached land from Bangladeshi Miyas, bringing in Uniform Civil Code, and ensuring the development of the state

Assam saw long span of instability, but things changed in past decade: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Assam saw a long span of instability, but things changed in the past decade as the BJP's double-engine government made every effort to ensure peace in the state. Twelve peace agreements were signed by the government with different organisations in the northeast, Modi said while addressing the BJP's booth level workers in poll-bound Assam as part of the 'Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot Samvaad'. The initiative aimed at giving messages directly to party activists ahead of polls. The prime minister said BJP workers must remind people how the Congress "used to make agreements only on paper to create headlines and mislead people". "We have seen the era when Assam was burning in violence. Assam saw a long span of instability, but things have changed in the past decade. But today, we can see a new confidence as the BJP's double-engine government has made every effort for peace," he said. Under the Congress, peace agreements were pushed aside and the

Kharge announces Congress' 'five guarantees' for poll-bound Assam

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday announced his party's "five guarantees" for poll-bound Assam, with a focus on women's welfare, healthcare for all, land rights and justice in the Zubeen Garg death case. He also took a swipe at the BJP-led government in the state, accusing it of indulging in rampant corruption and working "to fill the coffers" of its leaders and their families. Addressing a rally at Naoboicha in Lakhimpur district, Kharge listed the party's 'five guarantees', which include a monthly cash transfer to women, along with an additional Rs 50,000 assistance to women willing to set up or expand a business. "Our transfer will be unconditional. It will not be like what the BJP government is doing, where women are asked to be members of their party," he said. The Congress, which is looking to wrest power from the BJP, pledged Rs 25 lakh cashless health insurance for all families, permanent land pattas for 10 lakh indigenous people and Rs 1,250 per month for sen

Planters' body ask Assam govt to address concerns for providing land patta

Planters' body, Tea Association of India (TAI), has urged the Assam government to address its concerns regarding the transfer of housing line land to workers under a new amended law. While appreciating the government's intent to provide land patta to the tea garden workers, it called for clear guidelines in the matter so that the "administrative" concerns are taken care of. Speaking at the 37th Biennial General Meeting of TAI, Assam Branch, here on Saturday, TAI president Shailja Mehta said the concerns of the industry should be considered before implementation of the new law. She pointed out that in many cases, tea garden land is mortgaged as collateral with banks, and transfer may create financial and legal complications. Further, the Land Ceiling Act applies only to land and not to company-built assets such as labour quarters. "Adequate compensation should therefore be ensured under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlem

PM Modi grants land ownership rights to over 28,000 Assam tea workers

After 200 years, workers have been granted land ownership rights to build their homes; the government plans to extend these land rights to a total of 400,000 to 500,000 tea workers