The BJP’s stronghold, Jalukbari constituency in Assam, has been a stronghold of Chief Minister Himanta Sarma for nearly 25 years. This constituency is among the 126 seats that will go to the polls in this year’s Assembly elections, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4.
Jalukbari is located in Kamrup district of Assam and falls under Gauhati Lok Sabha constituency. Sharma has held the constituency since 2001 and is seeking to retain the seat for a sixth consecutive term.
Voting was held in Assam on April 9 by Voting percentage 85.27% More than 25 million voters were registered as of 5 p.m.
With two million voters in 247 polling stations, Jalukbari represents a mix of urban and semi-urban demographics, making it a crucial battleground. It will be reconstituted after delimitation in 2023. The high-stakes battle will see the BJP win Himanta Against Congress’ Bidisha Neog and independent candidate Dipika Das.
Read also: From Jalukbari to Dispur: Assam’s key constituencies gear up for a high-stakes contest between Congress and BJP
Assembly elections 2021
In 2021, CM Sarma won the Assembly elections by 1,30,762 votes, securing 78.4 per cent of the total votes. He defeated Congress candidate Romin Chandra Borthakur, who got 28,851 votes.
Overall in the state, the BJP bagged 60 seats with 33.21 per cent votes, while the Congress bagged 29 seats, bagging 29.67 per cent votes.
Read also: Women voters outnumber men in turnout in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry elections: ECI
Himanta of the BJP versus Bidisha of the Congress
Jalukbari is all set for a clash between veteran skipper Himanta and newcomer Bidisha Neog. Since becoming Prime Minister, Sarma has successfully cultivated the image of a resolute and welfare-minded leader.
He also portrayed himself as a protector of the interests of the indigenous Assamese through campaigns and eviction drives. While Himanta has three decades of experience, this is the first time the 57-year-old is vying for the chief minister’s post.
Bidisha Neog, on the other hand, is a 34-year-old newcomer who aims to create a new narrative through grassroots engagement and clear ideological positioning. Her campaign included door-to-door communication, holding small meetings, and direct contact with voters.
The BJP is contesting the elections in alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF). Chief Minister Himanta, who is seeking re-election from Jalukbari, voted at Garal Buniyadi LP School in Kamrup district, along with his family, earlier on April 9.
