Pijush Hazarika’s Reverent Pause at Election Rally Reverberates Across Assam
Desk Report, May 01, 2024: During an election rally in Baksa district, a noteworthy moment unfolded as Assam Minister and BJP leader Pijush Hazarika demonstrated a gesture of respect. As he addressed the public, Hazarika paused his speech upon hearing the call to Namaz emanating from a nearby mosque. This act, captured in a video shared by the BJP leader, showcased Hazarika’s momentary halt as the Islamic call to prayer reverberated from the vicinity of the rally podium.
Baksa, situated in lower Assam and falling under the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha constituency, is poised for polls alongside three others – Barpeta, Dhubri, and Guwahati. The upcoming third phase on May 7 marks the culmination of the electoral process for all 14 parliamentary seats in Assam. Notably, the preceding two phases witnessed voting in 10 seats held on April 19 and April 26, respectively.
These impending elections carry weight for both the BJP and Congress. The BJP, with an eye on bolstering its seat count in Assam in line with its broader national agenda, stands in opposition to Congress, which endeavors to seize the electoral moment despite internal challenges within its state unit. Given the substantial Muslim populace in these constituencies, both parties vie for their support. The BJP, especially, endeavors to court minority voters, notwithstanding challenges on this front. The fragmentation of minority votes between the AIUDF and Congress could potentially play into the BJP’s favor.
Assam’s Chief Minister has been actively courting minority voters during his campaign, underscoring the equitable dissemination of government initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. In the current Lok Sabha election, the BJP contests 11 out of 14 seats in Assam, with allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and UPPL vying for two and one seat, respectively. In the 2014 elections, the BJP clinched seven seats, while Congress and AIUDF secured three each. By 2019, the BJP expanded its seat count to nine, while Congress maintained three, and AIUDF claimed one seat.
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