The Congress has declared that despite a “manipulated delimitation” exercise in Assam, it has managed to retain three MPs and believes this marks the beginning of the end for Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s tenure. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted that the party’s efforts in Assam have resulted in a significant increase in their vote share, almost doubling to 37.48%, narrowly surpassing the BJP’s 37.43%.
Ramesh emphasized that, despite the delimitation exercise which they claim was skewed against them, the Indian National Congress managed to retain three parliamentary seats. He pointed out that the Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi’s margin of victory increased by nearly 200,000 votes. Additionally, despite the 25 public meetings held by the Assam Chief Minister aimed at defeating Gaurav Gogoi, Gogoi won with a margin exceeding 100,000 votes.
“In spite of the BJP’s best efforts to prop up Badruddin Ajmal, Rakibul Hussain swept the Dhubri Lok Sabha seat with a historic margin,” Ramesh said. AIUDF supremo and three-time MP Badruddin Ajmal was defeated by Congress MLA Rakibul Hussain by a record margin of 1,012,476 votes.
Ramesh expressed confidence that this electoral outcome signals a significant political shift in Assam. “Time to go, Mukhya Mantri! The countdown to Himanta Biswa Sarma’s exit has begun,” he proclaimed, suggesting that the Chief Minister’s efforts to diminish Congress’s influence have ultimately failed.
Despite the BJP’s dominance, winning nine of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam, the Congress’s performance has been noteworthy. The Congress’s ability to secure three seats and significantly increase its vote share indicates a resilient opposition. Regional parties won the remaining two seats, further diversifying the political landscape in Assam.
The results reflect a critical challenge for the BJP as they confront a reinvigorated Congress and changing voter dynamics. The Congress’s success in this election, according to Ramesh, is a testament to the party’s renewed vigor and the electorate’s response to the BJP’s policies and leadership in the state. As the political scenario in Assam evolves, all eyes will be on how Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP navigate these challenges moving forward.
