Sonowal to Form BJP Govt in Assam, Ends 15 Years of Congress Rule

Source: India TodayIt’s been a good day for the BJP and it’s allies in Assam. The 126-seat assembly saw the BJP claim 61 seats, while it’s coalition partners Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front emerge victorious with 14 and 12 seats respectively. Indian National Congress and Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF at the close of counting had 26 and 12 seats each to show for their efforts. The Congress would be particularly disappointed as this brings to an end its 15-year rule over the state.BJP CM designate, Sarbonanda Sonowal, thanked the people of Assam for their support, and stressed that this was a vote for “Poriborton.” He reaffirmed that BJP and its allies will work together towards solving issues like infiltration, sealing of the Indo-Bangladesh border, problems of small tea growers, and unemployment, among other major challenges.Om Mathur and Thawar Chand Gehlot have been appointed as observers for the formation of the state Government in AssamAssam CM designate, Sarbananda Sonowal, thanks the people of the state for making today’s “victory possible.”BJP’s victory becomes more important given that Assam is a border state. The government is fully committed to the development of the state, says Amit ShahThere isn’t much reason for the BJP to celebrate. Congress’ decision to contest the elections alone is why the BJP has won in Assam, says Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish KumarWhat We Know So Far15 year Congress rule in Assam is ending.BJP’s CM candidate Sarbananda Sonowal to form the first ever BJP government in Assam. Former Congress Minister and now BJP campaign manager, Himanta Biswa has won in Jalukbari AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal concedes defeat in his constituency - Salamara SouthRockybul Hussain Loses in SamaguriOutgoing Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s closest asset Rockybul Hussain reportedly loses in Samaguri.Tarun Gogoi Accepts Defeat GracefullyWith all humbleness we accept the verdict of people of Assam.Tarun GogoiI congratulate Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP for their grand success, we will fulfill our role as opposition.Tarun GogoiJairam Ramesh on the Election ResultsResults in Assam, Kerala although disappointing for Congress are not unexpected.Jairam Ramesh, Member of Parliament, CongressPiyush Goyal: People Believe in PM Modi Delighted with results. People of India have once again given the message that they believe in PM Modi.Piyush Goyal, Member of ParliamentIt’s a great day for India. Finally, we’re moving towards an India which doesn’t have the footprints of Congress, almost anywhere in the country.Piyush Goyal, Member of ParliamentAmit Shah Congratulates the Big BJP Players in AssamJitendra Singh: BJP in Assam, Win for PM ModiI thank the people of Assam. It is reiteration of faith of the people in leadership of PM Modi Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, PMOCongress Concedes DefeatCelebrations Begin Outside the BJP OfficePM Modi’s Congratulations Pour out on TwitterPM Modi Congratulates BJP’s CM Candidate Sarbananda SonowalAccording to reports PM Narendra Modi reached out to BJP’s front-runner Sarbananda Sonowal to congratulate him. Looks like the BJP is all set to form it’s first ever government in Assam.Badruddin Ajmal Concedes DefeatWant to congratulate BJP. We have lost because of Congress partyBadruddin Ajmal, Leader of AIUDFFB Live: What Does The Quint News Room Look Like on Counting Day?What Does the Young Voter of Assam Want?Prior to the elections, in March, The Quint caught up with the young Assamese voter. Looks like the sense we got in March, more or less matches with the results today. The young voters clearly preferred BJP.Sarbananda Sonowal: People Have Voted for ‘Poribartan’ Issues like infiltration, sealing of the Indo-Bangladesh border, problems of small tea growers, unemployment – are the major challenges. We will work together (with allies) to resolve these issues.Sonowal told NDTV We will seal the border to stop infiltrationSonowal to NDTV The main target is to protect the interest of bonafide citizens, whether Hindu or Muslim Sonowal to NDTV People of Assam were fed up with Congress. They wanted good governance and that is why they voted for BJP and the alliance Sonowal to NDTVAlso Read: Infiltration, Sealing Border BJP’s Priority in Assam, Says SonowalBJP’s Ram Madhav Dedicates Victory to The BrahmaputraRam Madhav Calls This Election a Big Lesson for CongGot full support from media. I’m happy to see there was great excitement in the nation with Assam’s election. Ram Madhav, General Secretary, BJPThis is an opportune and significant time for BJP. We will hold a press conference in the evening Ram Madhav, General Secretary, BJPThis is a big lesson for Congress Ram Madhav, General Secretary, BJPShashi Tharoor Responds to Biswa’s CommentsLet’s not use anecdotes as metaphors for whats happening in the Congress.Shashi Tharoor on Himanta Biswa’s dig at Rahul GandhiHimanta Biswa Talks About the ElectionsHimanta Biswa Indirectly Targets Gaurav GogoiOn a personal note this is a sweet victory, because Rahul Gandhi insulted me Himanta Biswa to India TodayRahul Gandhi gave me an audience eight to nine times but the conversation was so light, even the dogs came in between Himanta Biswa to India TodayRahul Gandhi shouldn’t favour blue-blooded people. Sarma indirectly targets Gaurav Gogoi on India TodayExcitement at the BJP Office in GuwahatiBJP’s CM Candidate Sarbananda Sonowal in Conversation With NDTVWe have created a unity. People have seen Congress working but failure after failure.Sonowal to NDTVWe want to make assam as the number one state- thats the planSonowal to NDTVOur strategy has clicked, our alliance partners have worked hard. People of Assam have been wanting this kind of a combination for a long time, they were tired of CongressSonowal to NDTVI believe what he contributed was unique, he has a bigger role to play in futureSonowal on Himanta Biswa Sarma to NDTVBikoya Chakravorty, BJP MP From Guwahati Speaks out on BJP’s PerformanceAjmal Touted in His Own KingdomBadruddin TrailingIt looks like AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is trailing by over 8000 votes to Congress’ candidate from Salmara South constituency.Gap Widening in Early TrendsLatest EC Data on Leads BJP-19Congress-8AIUDF-2BPF-6 AGP-9Others-2Source: ANIShahnawaz Hussain on Counting of VotesSarbananda Sonowal on Counting of VotesTrends According to The WireAfter the completion of counting in the first EVM in Titabor, Tarun Gogoi has won 265 votes, Kamakhya Prasad Tasha bagged 71 votes and CPI got 3 votes.BJP Workers Gearing up for Celebrations in GuwahatiIt’s 8 AM, and Counting Has Begun!Counting has begun in the five states concluding the long drawn Assembly elections today, 19 May. According to the Election Commission regulations, postal ballots to be opened first, and EVM votes after a half-an-hour wait. There are 51 centres, 143 rooms, 1771 tables, and 5313 officers involved in counting.Badruddin Ajmal on Counting of VotesIn Preparation for the Day I prayed for welfare of people of AssamSarbananda Sonowal, BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate to NDTVComments Before the Counting BeginsI don’t accept exit polls, they’ve been proved wrong earlier also.Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister, Assam to NDTVExit polls were wrong, we will get 30 to 40 seats. I am confidentBadruddin Ajmal, Leader of AIUDF, Assam to ANILike Bihar, BJP will only celebrate for first two hours, after that when picture gets clear we will celebrateBadruddin Ajmal, Leader of AIUDF, Assam to ANIThe Main PlayersFacing strong anti-incumbency, three-time Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has a stiff competition from the BJP-led alliance. BJP’s front-runner and currently the Union Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs Sarbananda Sonowal was a member of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) till 2011, before joining the BJP.Himanta Biswa Sarma has also emerged as a strong contender. A former member of the Congress, Sarma joined the BJP in 2015. All India Democratic Front (AIUDF) leader Badruddin Ajmal founded the party six months prior to the 2006 assembly polls and bagged 10 seats on his debut.Exit Poll Predictions 2011 Assam Assembly Election Results(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)

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Sonowal to Form BJP Govt in Assam, Ends 15 Years of Congress Rule

The counting of votes for the Assam assembly elections has begun.