BJP sweeps Assam municipal board polls, wins 75 of 80 civic bodies

The BJP’s alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) won 2 boards while independent candidates wrest control of two municipal boards. The opposition Congress managed to win just one board.

Published on: Mar 9, 2022, 20:19:36 IST

By Utpal Parashar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

GUWAHATI: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam celebrated Holi early on Wednesday after it recorded a massive victory in the municipal board elections held in the state.

BJP supporters celebrated the party’ landslide victory in Assam municipal board polls with colours. (PTI)

While the BJP won 75 of the 80 municipal boards which went to polls, its alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) won 2 boards. Independent candidates wrest control of two municipal boards and the opposition Congress managed to win just one board.

Voting for 80 municipal boards was held on March 6. With candidates winning uncontested in 57 wards, voting was held in 920 wards across the state. A total of 2532 candidates were in the fray with 825 from the BJP, 706 from the Congress, 243 from the AGP and 758 independent candidates.

“People of the state have shown they don’t want the Congress’s corruption anymore and have given goodbye to the party. On the other hand, the immense support we received shows voters are happy with the work done by the BJP government led by (chief minister) Himanta Biswa Sarma,” BJP state president Bhabesh Kalita said.

Wednesday’s verdict has come as another blow to the Congress after last year’s assembly election defeat and defection of two of its MLAs to the BJP. The party managed to win only the Narayanpur municipal board this time.

“We aren’t surprised by the outcome of the polls and accept the verdict of voters with humility. The BJP has at present governments both at Centre and in Assam and voters have shown their support to the party in power,” said Congress spokesperson Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya.

BJP candidates secured wins in 742 wards while AGP won 65 wards. Opposition Congress recorded wins in 71 wards and the Aam Admi Party (AAP) made its debut by winning two wards in Lakhimpur and Tinsukia.

“Congratulations and best wishes to the winners. Beginning of honest and clean politics in Assam too,” AAP national convenor and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.