Guwahati: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won Assam for the third consecutive time, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crossed the majority mark on its own for the first time. This victory was powered by the state's highest voter turnout and benefited from delimitation, which increased the influence of Hindu and tribal voters in large voting areas.
Key Factors Behind the Victory
A new alliance combined with massive cash transfers to approximately 40 lakh women handed the NDA its biggest victory in Assam. The BJP won 82 of the 90 seats it contested, while its allies, the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), secured 10 seats each, bringing the NDA tally to 102.
Historic Moment for BJP
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who led the party from the front, described the victory as historic. "For the first time, the 100-mark has been breached by an incumbent alliance in the state. Also, BJP for the first time attained majority in the house (126 seats) on its own," Sarma said to thunderous applause.
Thousands of supporters celebrated by dancing to Bihu music, bursting crackers, smearing each other with colors, and distributing sweets. Sarma said the people's verdict was a mandate "for vikas and virasat. This victory has been a vote for development, nari shakti, identity, and the vision of a Viksit Assam," dedicating the win to the people.
Record Voter Turnout
The third straight NDA victory, equaling Congress's record during late Tarun Gogoi's tenure, was propelled by the highest-ever voter turnout of nearly 86%. Women voters turned out in record numbers, surpassing male voters by over two lakhs.
Impact of Delimitation
The redrawing of constituencies played a pivotal role in the BJP's victory. It reduced the number of Muslim-majority constituencies from 35 to 22 and increased seats where indigenous voters held the key. This shift hit the Congress and its allies hard. Barring one winner, all 18 other Congress winners are Muslims. Even its ally, Rajor Dal, had one Muslim winner, while other allies like AJP, Left, and All Party Hill Leaders' Conference drew a blank.
Delimitation also demolished Badruddin Ajmal's AIUDF, reducing its tally from 15 in 2021 to just two. The BJP's new NDA partner, BPF, won 10 of the 15 seats in the Bodo heartland, while the former NDA partner UPPL, which was dropped by the BJP this time, drew a blank.
BJP's Growing Dominance
The scale of the BJP's dominance saw its vote share increase by over 5% to nearly 39%, its highest ever, up from 33% in 2021 and 29.5% in 2011.
Congress's Dismal Performance
Sarma attributed Congress's poor performance to two factors: dragging Zubeen Garg's name into the campaign and attacking the daughters of Assam when Pawan Khera made allegations against his wife. "I thank Pawan Khera for his media conference where he did not attack me, but the daughters of Assam, and that made people very emotional. Had Gaurav Gogoi not been present at that press conference, he might have won," Sarma quipped.
He added, "Zubeen Garg was never an issue in this election, but Congress tried to politicize his name by mentioning him in their manifesto. People have punished them for politicizing Zubeen Garg's death."
Congress media team chairman Bedabrata Bora said, "We are surprised at the results, but we accept them as the people's mandate."
