Theruling BJP-led NDA is heading to retain power in Assam for the second time in arow as the alliance is leading in 90+ seats in the 126-member assembly for whichthree-phase polling ended on April 6.
Accordingto the Election Commission's initial trends of the results, the rulingBharatiya Janata Party alone is leading in 50+ seats while its ally Asom GanaParishad (AGP) in ten seats and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) is leadingin seven seats. The opposition Congress has established initial leads in 21seats while its partners Bodoland Peoples Front is leading in two seats and AllIndia United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in nine seats. An independent candidateis leading in one seat.
ChiefMinister Sarbananda Sonowal, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and AGP chiefand minister Atul Bora are leading from Majuli, Jalukbari and Bokakhat seatsrespectively.
CongressLegislative Party leader and his deputy Debabrata Saikia and Rakibul Hussainboth are trailing from Nazira and Samaguri seats respectively.
Thecounting of votes for 126 Assembly seats in Assam for which polling was held inthree phases began on Sunday morning in 34 districts amid tight security andall Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
AssamChief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nitin Khade said counting of votes are being heldin 50 Election Districts (34 administrative districts) and there are threetiers of security put in place in and around the counting centres and adjoiningareas. "To maintain Covid protocols and guidelines issued by the ElectionCommission, numbers of counting halls have been increased by 131 per cent --from 143 in 2016 Assembly election to 331 this time," the CEO said.
Inall, 946 candidates including 74 female candidates of different politicalparties including BJP and the Congress contested the elections.