Guwahati, June 13: The ruling BJP polled over 2.25 lakh votes to register a “historic” clean sweep, winning all the 26 constituencies of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).
Even as the counting process continued till late Sunday evening, it was clear from the trends since the morning and afternoon that the saffron party would post a thumping win.
This is the saffron party’s biggest victory in KAAC elections since its inception in 1952. In the elections held in 2017, BJP had won 24 out of the 26 seats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the saffron party’s one-sided victory in KAAC elections as “historic” while assuring the people that the party would keep working for Assam’s progress.
“Historic results in Karbi Anglong! I thank the people for their continuous faith in BJP and assure them that we will keep working for Assam’s progress,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
According to the final tally of votes that was circulated late Sunday evening, BJP secured 225999 votes while the Congress (which was in power in the council between 2001 and 2015) was placed at a distant second (after Independents) to secure 60,760 votes while new entrant, Aam Aadmi Party bagged 15,513 votes in the 26 constituencies spread across West Karbi Anglong (Hamren), Karbi Anglong (Diphu) and Bokajan.
On the other hand, speaking to mediapersons on Monday, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the clean sweep as a clear mandate for the BJP in the hill district.
“It was expected that BJP would bag all the 26 seats but what is more satisfying is the manner of the wins…the winning margins of candidates this time range between 10,000 and 12,000 votes as against three-figure margins last time,” the chief minister said.
“The one-sided vote reaffirms people’s trust and faith in the party. The feat is indeed satisfying but at the same time there is a challenge for the party ahead as the expectations of the people in the hill district will now be very high,” Sarma said.
The chief minister further said that people from every community voted for the BJP in the polls.
IANS