Counting of votes for the 126-member Assembly in Assam began at 8 a.m. on Monday, setting the stage for a crucial political verdict. The election will determine whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA secures a third consecutive term or if the Indian National Congress can stage a comeback.
A total of 722 candidates are in the fray across 126 constituencies, with counting taking place at 40 centres spread over 35 districts. Among the key contenders is Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, contesting from Jalukbari and aiming for a hat-trick victory. State Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi is making his Assembly debut from Jorhat, while Badruddin Ajmal of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) is contesting from Binnakandi.
Other prominent figures include Akhil Gogoi of Raijor Dal seeking to retain Sibsagar, and Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary contesting from Tamulpur.
The BJP is contesting 90 seats as part of the NDA alliance, alongside Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodo Peoples Front (BPF). The opposition alliance is led by Congress, which has fielded 99 candidates, along with parties like Assam Jatiya Parishad, CPI(M), and others.
Several other parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), are also in the fray, along with 258 Independent candidates.
The April 9 polling witnessed a historic voter turnout of 85.91%, including a record 86.5% participation by women, reflecting high electoral engagement across the state.
According to exit polls, particularly Axis My India, the BJP-led NDA is projected to secure between 88 and 100 seats, with the BJP alone expected to emerge as the single-largest party, winning 70–80 seats. The Congress-led alliance is predicted to secure between 24 and 36 seats.
As counting progresses, early trends suggest the BJP is inching closer to the 100-seat mark, while Gaurav Gogoi is trailing in Jorhat, indicating a potentially significant political outcome in the state.
