Sivasagar (Assam)

Ahead of the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita expressed confidence in the prospects of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state, particularly in the Nazira constituency.

Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Margherita said, "I'm not commenting on the numbers or how many seats we're going to get. But I can assure you that in this particular seat, the NDA candidate or BJP candidate, Mayur Borgohain, will definitely get the mandate and blessings from the people of Nazira with a margin of at least 30,000 votes."

Expressing confidence, he further added, "In every seat, the people of Assam are showering their blessings upon us. We are confident that for the third consecutive time, we are going to form the government."

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its manifesto on Tuesday, outlining 31 promises aimed at transforming Assam into a "brightest state."

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasised initiatives such as implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Assam, excluding Sixth Schedule and tribal areas, and taking action against what the party terms "love jihad."

The manifesto also includes development and welfare measures, such as spending Rs 18,000 crore in the first two years for flood management, creating 2 lakh jobs over five years, and establishing one medical college, one university, and one engineering college per district.

On Sunday, Congress also announced a set of five key promises, including monthly cash transfers for women, a pension for senior citizens, health coverage, justice for singer Zubeen Garg, and land rights for 10 lakh indigenous people.

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Assam is set to go into single-phase elections on April 9 on 126 seats across the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party, in alliance with Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front, aims to retain power for the third consecutive time. On the other hand, Congress is challenging the BJP-led alliance with a six-party bloc including Congress, Assam Jati Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal, CPI(M), CPI(ML), and the All Party Hill Leaders Conference.

The counting of votes will take place on May 4.