Assam Chief Minister Casts Vote at Newly Assigned Garal Polling Booth
In a significant shift following recent electoral boundary changes, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma exercised his franchise on Thursday at a newly designated polling station in Garal. This move marks a departure from his long-standing voting routine at Amingaon High School in North Guwahati, necessitated by the delimitation process that has reshaped constituency maps across the state.
Delimitation Alters CM's Voting Location
For years, Chief Minister Sarma had consistently voted at Amingaon High School, located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River. However, the comprehensive delimitation exercise has transferred the polling station out of the Jalukbari constituency and into the newly formed Hajo-Sualkuchi constituency. Consequently, Sarma's assigned voting location has been relocated to Garal on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra.
Around noon, the Chief Minister arrived at Garal Buniyadi Lower Primary School to cast his vote. This polling station, which previously fell under the now-defunct West Guwahati constituency, has been incorporated into Jalukbari following the constituency overhaul. Sarma is contesting from Jalukbari and is seeking a sixth consecutive electoral victory from this seat.
Religious and Electoral Significance of Garal
The Garal area, renowned for the Manasa Temple and several other shrines associated with shakti worship, has now entered the Chief Minister's electoral circuit. Some local residents have expressed optimism that this shift could bring greater attention to these religious sites, particularly with the proposed Guwahati Aerocity development project in the vicinity.
Upon his arrival after offering prayers at Kamakhya Temple and Doul Govinda Temple, Sarma was greeted by enthusiastic voters who gathered outside the polling station to take selfies and interact with their leader.
CM Expresses Confidence in BJP's Prospects
Speaking to media persons outside the polling station, Chief Minister Sarma expressed strong confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party's electoral prospects. "I think people are going to give a decisive mandate for the development of Assam," Sarma declared, emphasizing the importance of the electoral process.
He further elaborated on his voting philosophy, stating, "Like every other citizen, voting is also my responsibility. I have voted in my polling station for Assam's progress and wellbeing. The decision voters take today will decide the direction of Assam's future in the next five years." Sarma was accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, son Nandil Biswa Sarma, and daughter Sukanya Sarma, who all exercised their franchise at the same location.
Administrative Details of the Relocation
Election officials confirmed that Sarma and his family members had formally shifted their names to the Garal polling station during the last special revision process initiated in 2025. "His name no longer exists in the Amingaon High School polling station," clarified an election official, adding that the move to Garal represented Sarma's personal decision.
Official election documents list Sarma as a resident of a flat in the nearby Dharapur-Garal area within Kamrup (Metro) district. The Chief Minister acknowledged that his campaign efforts in Jalukbari had been somewhat limited due to his responsibilities leading NDA outreach across Assam, but he pledged to work relentlessly for the constituency following the election.
Local Voters Voice Support and Expectations
At the polling station, local voters expressed strong support for Sarma and shared their development expectations for the Garal area. "When he is representing our constituency and our polling station, we can expect all the good works here in and around Garal," stated voter Dilip Sarma, reflecting the community's optimism.
Another voter, Raghunath Barua, emphasized the religious significance of the area, suggesting that Garal's spiritual heritage should be developed further to enhance its cultural and tourism potential.
The delimitation-driven relocation of the Chief Minister's polling station represents more than just an administrative change—it symbolizes the evolving political landscape of Assam and the direct impact of electoral reforms on even the highest office holders in the state.
