Modi, Shah, Yogi and Irani on BJP's list of star campaigners for Assam polls

The list includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda, Union home minister Amit Shah, and other central ministers such as Nitin Gadkari, NS Tomar and Smriti Irani.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday released its list of star campaigners for the upcoming Assam Assembly polls, which includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda, Union home minister Amit Shah, and other central ministers such as Nitin Gadkari, NS Tomar and Smriti Irani.

It’s possible gains in the east and the south will not compensate for the dip. And it is this calculation which has led the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah to become far more pragmatic(Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

Other party leaders and state heads like Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh have also been named star campaigners by the party.

The two key contenders - BJP and the opposition Congress - have rolled out promises to woo this significant slice of the electorate with the former highlighting the steps taken by the state government for the welfare and empowerment of women in various sectors like agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy, handloom, education and maternal health.

The Congress, which is seeking to oust the BJP from power, launched a five-guarantee campaign promising fifty per cent reservation for women in government jobs, ₹2,000 monthly income support to homemakers and raising the daily wage of tea garden workers, comprising mostly women.

The elections to the 126-member Assam assembly will be held in three phases - on March 27, April 1 and April 6.

More than 173 candidates have filed their nominations for 47 Assam assembly seats going to polls in the first phase on March 27, the state's chief electoral officer said on Tuesday.

The last date of submission of nominations for the first phase was Tuesday.

Among prominent candidates who filed nominations on the last day were chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal from Majuli, sitting BJP MLAs Angoorlata Deka from Batadroba, Ashok Singhal from Dhekiajuli, Mrinal Saikia from Khumtai, and Padma Hazarika from Sootea, sitting Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi from Mariani and former Congress minister Bismita Gogoi from Khumtai.

Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi filed his nominations from both Duliajan and Naharkatiya constituencies.

Jailed Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi will also contest in the first phase from Mariani and Sibsagar seats as an Independent candidate, as the party is yet to be recognised by the Election Commission.

(With inputs from Agencies)