New Delhi

The BJP has high stakes in retaining Assam, while Congress is seeking a return to power as part of the UDF alliance in Keralam in the Assembly elections along with that of the Union territory of Puducherry and elect new governments, today. The elections in both these states are crucial for the political careers of Chief Ministers Pinarayi Vijayan and Himanta Biswa Sarma.

In Pudducherry, the NDA alliance with partners is seeking re-election to the 30-member Legislative Assembly and is facing a challenge from the Congress-led alliance.

The most interesting power play is to be seen in the politically significant states of Keralam and Assam.

In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is facing a tough challenge from the Congress in striking a hat-trick. Congress has mounted pressure on Sarma for alleged corruption. Voting for the 126-member Legislative Assembly will witness largely direct contests between the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led opposition bloc, setting the stage for a fiercely fought mandate.

The ruling BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term, banking on its governance record, welfare schemes, and leadership under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. On the other hand, the Congress is striving for a political resurgence, hoping to reclaim power after nearly a decade in opposition since its defeat in 2016.

A total of 722 candidates are in the fray, representing a wide spectrum of political parties and independents. Polling will be conducted from 7 am to 5 pm across 31,490 polling stations spread over 35 districts. The electorate comprises approximately 2.50 crore voters, including 1.25 crore women and 318 registered third-gender voters.

Among the major contenders are Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state Congress president and deputy leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of Opposition in Assam Debabrata Saikia, AIUDF chief & perfume baron Badruddin Ajmal, RTI activist Akhil Gogoi, and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi.

In terms of party-wise participation, the Congress is fielding the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. AIUDF is contesting 30 seats, while NDA allies AGP and BPF are in the fray in 26 and 11 constituencies, respectively. Other parties in the contest include Raijor Dal (13), AJP (10), CPI(M) (3), APHLC (2), AAP (18), UPPL (18), TMC (22), and JMM (16), alongside a significant 258 independent candidates.

Keralam, where the Left Democratic Front is ruling for an unprecedented second term, as against the tradition of voting the incumbent government out in each election, will see the Congress-led United Democratic Front seek to wrest power in the 140-member Legislative Assembly polls.

The contest, though triangular, is rooted in Kerala's traditionally bipolar political landscape, where power has largely alternated between the LDF and the UDF.

Led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Left Front has foregrounded its 10-year governance record, highlighting infrastructure development and welfare schemes.

BJP may not be a traditional favourite in Kerala, but the party is hoping to make deeper inroads in terms of vote share and even bagging some seats in the election.

In Puducherry. Around 9.5 lakh voters are set to decide the electoral fate of 294 candidates contesting in the assembly election.

Polling is being held across Puducherry and its enclaves of Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam, which together account for 30 assembly seats.

The NDA alliance (AINRC, BJP, AIADMK, LJK) is aiming to retain its “double engine” government in the Union Territory. The INDIA bloc (Congress, DMK, VCK) is mounting a strong challenge.

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Alternatively, actor Vijay’s newly formed TVK has emerged as a significant third force, fielding candidates across constituencies.
New Delhi