The Battleground Assam

Assam is going to polls on April 4 and 11 in the two phased assembly elections. And the elections could not have come at a better time for the north-eastern state when the entire nation is being swept by the latest trend in Indian politics: vote for development. This election season basic issues like development, education, growth, price rise, corruption etc. remained dominant during the election campaigns whether it was of the Congress, AGP, BJP, AIUDF, TMC and many other parties in the poll pan.The illegal migration issue too has always been a major factor in Assam politics, as also the ULFA-internal peace equation. Congress, which has been in power for the last two consecutive terms in the state, is facing the anti-incumbency factor, mostly on the issue of not-up-to-the-mark performance. While Congress’s efforts in improving healthcare and transportation facilities in the state have been widely acknowledged, the main issues dogging the state government include rising prices of essential commodities (like in other parts of India), failure to tackle large-scale corruption (now synonymous with any aspect of Indian life), and lack of inclusive development, including in the education sector. Unemployment and poverty too continue to be major polls factor. While the ruling Congress is approaching voters by taking credit for renewed hopes of peace post Centre-ULFA talks, the opposition BJP is playing the card of threat to national security by illegal Bangladeshi migrants. A total of 981 candidates are in the fray for the 126 assembly constituencies in Assam that go to polls in two phases on April 4 and 11.While 485 hopefuls are in the race for 62 seats in the first phase, 496 are in the fray for 64 seats in the second phase, additional chief electoral officer M C Sahu told reporters here.While there are 447 male candidates and 38 women in the first phase, the figure is 449 and 47 for the second phase.The ruling Congress and the opposition BJP have fielded 62 candidates each. The opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has 51 nominees. There are 157 independents in the first phase.In the second phase 64 Congress candidates are in the fray while there are 58 BJP nominees, 58 of Trinamool Congress and 53 of AGP.Constituencies for Phase-1 polls:1. Ratabari (SC)2. Patharkandi3. Karimganj North4. Karimganj South5. Badarpur6. Hailakandi7. Katlichera8. Algapur9. Silchar10. Sonai11. Dholai (SC)12. Udharbond13. Lakhipur14. Barkhola15. Katigora16. Haflong (ST)17. Bokajan (ST)18. Howraghat (ST)19. Diphu (ST)20. Baithalangso (ST)71. Dhekiajuli 72. Barchalla73. Tezpur74. Rangapara75. Sootea76. Biswanath77. Behali78. Gohpur93. Bokakhat94. Sarupathar95. Golaghat96. Khumtai97. Dergaon (SC)98. Jorhat99. Majuli (ST)100. Titabar101. Mariani102. Teok103. Amguri104. Nazira105. Mahmara106. Sonari 107. Thowra108. Sibsagar109. Bihpuria110. Naoboicha111. Lakhimpur112. Dhakuakhana (ST)113. Dhemaji (ST)114. Jonai (ST)115. Moran116. Dibrugarh117. Lahowal118. Duliajan119. Tingkhong120. Naharkatia121. Chabua122. Tinsukia123. Digboi.124. Margherita125. Doom Dooma126. Sadiya.Constituencies for Phase-2 polls:21. Mankachar22. Salmara South23. Dhubri24. Gauripur25. Golakganj26. Bilasipara West27. Bilasipara East28. Gossaigaon29. Kokrajhar West (ST)30. Kokrajhar East (ST)31. Sidli (ST)32. Bongaigaon33. Bijni34. Abhayapuri North35. Abhayapuri South (SC)36. Dudhnai (ST)37. Goalpara East38. Goalpara West39. Jaleswar40. Sorbhog41. Bhabanipur42. Patacharkuchi 43. Barpeta44. Jania45. Baghbar46. Sarukhetri47. Chenga48. Boko (SC)49. Chaygaon50. Palasbari51. Jalukbari52. Dispur53. Gauhati East54. Gauhati West55. Hajo56. Kamalpur57. Rangiya58. Tamulpur59. Nalbari60. Barkhetry61. Dharmapur62. Barama (ST)63. Chapaguri (ST)64. Panery 65. Kalaigaon66. Sipajhar67. Mangaldoi (SC)68. Dalgaon69. Udalguri (ST)70. Majbat79. Jagiroad (SC)80. Marigaon81. Laharighat82. Raha (SC)83. Dhing84. Batadroba85. Rupohihat86. Nowgong87. Barhampur88. Samaguri89. Kaliabor90. Jamunamukh91. Hojai92. Lumding