NDA on Course for Assam's Hat-trick Victory

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is on the verge of forming the government in Assam for the third consecutive time, securing a majority with 77 seats. According to Election Commission data on Monday, this surpasses the 68-seat requirement in the 126-member state assembly.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clinched 65 seats by evening, with its allies, the Bodo People's Front (BPF) and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), securing seven and five seats, respectively. Furthermore, the BJP, AGP, and BPF are leading in 17, five, and three additional seats.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma leads in the Jalukbari constituency by 89,434 votes against Congress rival Bidisha Neog. The Congress secured seven seats, leading in 12 others, while the AIUDF, Raijor Dal, and Trinamool Congress each won a seat. In a setback for Congress, state president Gaurav Gogoi lost Jorhat to BJP MLA Hitendranath Goswami by 23,181 votes. Polling took place on April 9 across all 126 constituencies.

(With inputs from agencies.)