From age and education to wealth and criminal cases, a closer look at who is contesting the April 9 polls across key states
The polling trends in the Union Territory of Puducherry showed a voter turnout of 37.06 per cent
While Modi's BJP seeks to expand its foothold in states dominated by regional parties, the elections come as India faces an uncertain growth outlook after a surge in oil prices following West Asia war
Voting will be held for 126 seats in Assam, 140 in Keralam, and 30 in Puducherry in this phase of the election
Share of candidates with criminal cases declines slightly, while crorepatis rise sharply, underscoring growing role of money in elections
High-stakes polls in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry test incumbents, opposition strength and shifting political dynamics across key regions
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
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
Assam Assembly saw reduced sitting days but faster lawmaking, with most Bills passed within a week, raising concerns over limited debate and legislative scrutiny
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
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,
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 blends welfare outreach to women with identity politics in Assam, as Himanta Biswa Sarma eyes a second term amid rising concerns over polarisation
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the philosophy of his party is that of the celebrated musician Zubeen Garg, who worked his entire life to unite Assam. Addressing election rallies in Biswanath and Golaghat districts, he alleged that Himanta Biswa Sarma is the "most corrupt CM" in India, and action will be taken against him after the Congress forms a government in the state. "Zubeen Garg worked his entire life to unite people of Assam; he never misbehaved with anyone. The Congress philosophy is also like that, to spread love against hatred," Gandhi said. He alleged that the BJP government led by Sarma is spreading hatred against people and communities. "Let him speak for some more days. After that, the Congress will form a government in Assam, and legal action will follow even if he asks for forgiveness. The Congress government will put him in jail for 10-15 years," Gandhi said. The Congress leader alleged Sarma, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home ...
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
Calling Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma the "most corrupt CM" in India, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that Sarma, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is running a "land ATM" in the state to give land to big corporates by snatching it from the public. Addressing an election rally here in support of party candidate Raton Engti for Bokajan constituency, he also said popular singer Zubeen Garg stood for Assam and its people, and the Congress party will deliver justice to him for his death within 100 days of coming to power in the state. "India's most corrupt CM is Himanta Biswa Sarma, and his family is also No 1 in corruption. The Congress government will take action against him. Though he is boasting himself now, he will be completely silent after that," Gandhi said. The Leader of the Opposition claimed that three big corporate houses have been handed over a total of 98,400 bighas of land in Assam. "These lands were ..
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
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.
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
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