Guwahati: Following the recent Lok Sabha elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma remarked that the Congress has emerged as the preferred party among minority voters in the state. His comments came after the results revealed significant changes in voter preferences.
Out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam, the BJP secured nine seats, while the Congress won three. The United People’s Party, Liberal (UPPL), and Asom Gana Parishad each claimed one seat. Sarma highlighted the shift in minority votes, particularly noting the Congress’s dominance in Muslim-majority areas.
During a press interaction, Sarma emphasized the significance of the Nagaon and Dhubri seats, both of which were won by the Congress. He explained that historically, Muslim voters in Assam supported either the Congress or the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), led by Mohammed Badruddin Ajmal. This election, however, saw a clear preference for the Congress among Muslim voters.
“In this election, the Congress had a monopoly over the Muslim vote in Assam,” Sarma said. “In Nagaon, we are leading in all Hindu-majority constituencies, while Pradyut Bordoloi leads in Muslim-majority areas. Similarly, in Dhubri, Rakibul Hussain is leading in constituencies with a significant Muslim population. This shows that Congress has won the battle for the minority vote, especially against AIUDF.”
The BJP-led NDA secured a total of 293 seats nationwide, just above the majority mark, while the opposition bloc INDIA won 234 seats. The BJP itself garnered 240 seats, falling short of the 272-seat majority, whereas the Congress won 98 seats.
Sarma’s comments highlight the shifting political landscape in Assam, where the minority vote has played a crucial role in the recent elections. As both NDA and INDIA alliances strategize for future elections, the dynamics of minority voter preferences will be a key factor to watch.
