The BJP on Thursday was set to form its first government in the northeast, ousting the Congress in Assam after its 15-year uninterrupted rule. BJP Chief Ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal promised that the new government would leave no stone unturned to fulfil the expectations of the people of Assam.
Considered a key man behind BJP’s grand show in Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma , a former Congress strongman and Tarun Gogoi-baiter, on Thursday said people of the state have voted for development and protection of their identity. Sarma, a protege-turned-rival of outgoing Chief Minister Gogoi , said the veteran Congressman was ruling “by default”, but people have decisively voted in favour of Narendra Modi in the hope that he will resolve the issues of their identity.
As per reports, the BJP has won 60 seats, while its alliance partners, Asom Gana Parishad has won in 14 and in Bodoland People’s Front(BPF), it has managed to clinch 12 seats.
The Congress has won 26 seats while its partner United Peoples’ Party (UPP) has drawn a blank.
The principal Opposition party in the outgoing Assam legislative Assembly, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) could win only 13 seats (11 won and leading in two) compared to 18 seats it won in the last Assembly elections in 2011. The results have dashed the hopes of the AIUDF, which had hoped to play kingmaker.
One Independent candidate, Misbaul Islam lascar also won from the Borkhola constituency in Barak Valley defeating Congress heavyweight Rumi Nath. Sarbananda Sonowal expressed happiness over the results and said the party would put in its best efforts to fulfil the expectations of the people of Assam.
“The greater Assamese society in Assam spontaneously responded to the appeal of BJP and its alliance partners and it led us to victory.
“The people of Assam have been suffering due to the misrule of the Congress in Assam. So they supported the BJP and its allies to form the government,” Sonowal said, addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here on Thursday evening.
“The people of Assam wanted a change. They wanted their identities to be protected and protection of their culture, pride and tradition. So for this the people have supported us and we are going to fulfil the expectations of the people,” he said.
Assam
BJP+ 86
Cong+26
AIUDF+13
Others+01