Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed confidence on May 2 that the Congress party is prepared to return to power in Assam.
Speaking after an observers’ meeting in Guwahati held by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, Shivakumar criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying, “Our hand is stronger than the lotus. Our hand will always be there. Lotus will disappear after some time.”
He added, “We have readied our candidates. They are also confident that we will be back here after the 4th… We are all confident that we will form the government here.”
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Working President Jakir Hussain Sikdar also expressed optimism that the Congress and its alliance partners will form the government in Assam. He said, “The government in Assam will be formed under the leadership of Congress this time. Congress and its alliance partners will form the government. The public has given the verdict in the favour of Congress.”
The Congress is intensifying its organisational efforts across Assam, with Congress MP Rakibul Hussain stating that the party is united and confident of its position, while launching an attack on the BJP leadership in the state. These remarks come amid heightened political exchanges between the two parties.
Earlier on May 2, senior Congress observers for the Assam Assembly elections, including DK Shivakumar, Bhupesh Baghel, and Jitendra Singh, met with alliance partners ahead of the election results scheduled for May 4. The Congress has formed an alliance with five other parties: Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), CPI(M), APHLC, and CPI(ML).
Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi stated after the meeting that the alliance is confident of comfortably forming a government in Assam. He dismissed exit polls projecting a BJP majority as an attempt by the ruling party “to create an atmosphere” favourable to them. He said, “Discussion was held, and the representatives have said that the people of Assam, farmers, youths, and women cast their votes to make a new government in Assam. The results will come out on May 4. We will have to keep an eye on the strong rooms. We all have to prepare for the counting day. We are all united. BJP has tried to create an atmosphere in Assam through exit polls, but we are not falling into this trap.”
Exit polls have projected that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to win a third consecutive term. Axis My India forecasted the BJP-led NDA to secure between 88 and 100 of the 126 seats, with the Congress-led alliance projected to win 24 to 36 seats. JVC predicted 88 to 101 seats for the NDA and 23 to 33 for the Congress-led alliance, with the AIUDF receiving 0 to 2 seats and others 3 seats. Matrize estimated the BJP-led alliance would win 85 to 95 seats, the Congress-led alliance 25 to 32, and others 6 to 12.
Counting of votes for the Assam elections will take place on May 4. This election marks the first time the Congress has formed a six-party alliance, including Raijor Dal, to contest against the BJP-led NDA in Assam.