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BJP takes early lead, Congress lags as per initial counting trends in Assam

At 9:30am, trends were available for 28 of the 126 seats, with the BJP leading in 19, and its allies, AGP and BPF in two and three

Published on: May 04, 2026 09:52 AM IST
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The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was leading in Assam, while the Opposition Congress lagged in the first 90 minutes after the vote count, which started at 8am on Monday.

Security outside a counting centre in Tezpur. (PTI)
Security outside a counting centre in Tezpur. (PTI)

At 9:30am, trends were available for 28 of the 126 seats, with the BJP leading in 19, and its allies, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), in two and three.

The Congress was leading in just two seats and its ally, Assam Jatiya Parishad, in one. The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), which is not part of any alliance, was leading in one seat.

State Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi, who contested from Jorhat, was trailing BJP legislator Hitendranath Goswami by over 1,000 votes.

Ministers Pijush Hazarika (Jagiroad), Ajanta Neog (Golaghat), Ranoj Pegu (Dhemaji), Prasanta Phukan (Dibrugarh), and former parliamentarian Pallab Lochan Das (Biswanath) were among the prominent BJP candidates leading.

The NDA hopes to return to power for a third consecutive time in Assam, where exit polls predicted a landslide victory for the ruling alliance. The counting of votes was underway in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry following the conclusion of the biggest electoral exercise since the 2024 polls.

 
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.

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.
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.
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