Guwahati, March 16: Dipika Pandey Singh on March 16 claimed that a major political shift may take place in Assam ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, asserting that public sentiment is turning against the current state government.
Speaking to reporters, Singh said many people in the state were dissatisfied with the administration led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and were prepared for a change in leadership. She expressed confidence that a government representing the common people would be formed if the opposition secures a mandate.
Singh further stated that Gaurav Gogoi could become chief minister if the Indian National Congress comes to power in the state.
Her remarks came shortly after the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the Assam Assembly elections. Polling for all 126 constituencies in the state will be held in a single phase on April 9, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. The Model Code of Conduct came into immediate effect following the announcement.
The elections are expected to witness a direct contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance and the Congress. Sarma is seeking a third consecutive term for the alliance government, while Congress is attempting to return to power in the state.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NDA — comprising the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad and United People’s Party Liberal — secured 75 of the 126 seats, with the BJP emerging as the largest partner in the alliance with 60 seats. Voter turnout during the election stood at 86.2 per cent, with more than 2.2 crore registered voters participating.
Commenting on the ongoing Rajya Sabha elections, Singh said the polls are significant for the functioning of the country’s democratic system. She added that the Congress has the right to contest the elections and expressed confidence that its candidates would perform well.
Biennial elections to fill 37 Rajya Sabha seats across ten states began on Monday, with counting of votes scheduled for 5 p.m. the same day. The terms of members from Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana are set to expire in April, creating vacancies for new representatives to be elected.
