Muslim Vote Crucial in the Final Phase of Assam Polls
As many as 41 of the 61 seats are in seven districts where the Muslims constitute over 50 percent of the population.
As Assam enters the final phase of voting , the fate of both the national parties – BJP and Congress – depends on how regional outfits perform, reports The Times of India. Sixty-one assembly constituencies go to polls today.
The BJP has limited presence in central and lower Assam where voting is currently underway. The AIUDF headed by Badruddin Ajmal derives it strength from this region. How Muslims vote on Monday will be crucial in deciding whether Tarun Gogoi can stay in power.
Also Read: Assam Elections – “I Am a Muslim and I Am Not a Bangladeshi”
In 2011, Congress won 24 out of 61 seats. AIUDF won 17 and BJP just 3. Together, the AGP and Bodoland Peoples Front – NDA allies – won 14 seats in this area and the BJP expects an improvement in their performance this time.
This is also the part of the state with a high Muslim presence. As many as 41 of the 61 seats are in seven districts where the Muslims constitute over 50 percent of the population – Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Barpeta, Darrang, Marigaon and Nagaon.
Muslims might vote against the BJP and its allies. But if they are divided between the Congress and the AIUDF, the combined strength of the BJP, AGP and BPF could yield fairly rich dividends.
Read the full report here.
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