‘Semi-final’ to Assam assembly polls today

GUWAHATI/SILCHAR: The state election commission has made all arrangements for election to the 74 urban local bodies to be held on Monday.
The election is crucial for political parties, which are seeing it as the “semi-final” to next year’s assembly polls.
State election commissioner H N Bora said around 10,000 people have reached the respective polling stations across the state.He said 14,84,496 voters would cast their votes on Monday.
“We are fully prepared for the smooth conduct of the urban local bodies election.” Bora said.
The election will held in 743 wards under 74 urban local bodies. The 74 urban local bodies are made up of 32 municipal boards and 42 town committees all over the state.
The date of re-polling is February 11, while the date of counting is February 12.
However, on the eve of election, there were reports of violence from various parts of the state. In Silchar, a BJP worker and his family members were attacked by goons on Sunday afternoon. The incident took place at Lane No 6 of Link Road locality under Ward No. 16 of the southern Assam town.
While the Congress is striving to regain lost ground after the Lok Sabha polls, BJP is eyeing the election as a litmus test for its aspirations to come to power in next year’s assembly election.
Both parties had led a pitched campaign earlier this year. The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has also decided to contest the urban local bodies polls for the first time.