BJP sweeps urban Barak; Congress fades out in civic body polls

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: As expected BJP registered a landslide victory in civic body polls in Barak Valley pushing Congress to a brink. Out of 75 wards in seven towns, BJP won in 73 seats whereas Congress was left with mere 5 wards. Surprisingly even in Muslim dominated Sonai Town Committee, BJP was all set to form the Board. The Wednesday result had brought surprise package in Karimganj, the town three time Congress MLA Kamalakha Dey Purkayastha represented in the Assembly, saw a landslide victory for the BJP as the saffron brigade won 23 out of 27 wards. Congress finished as a poor second with only three wards.

In Hailakandi, however, the BJP had to pay a price for neglecting the veteran Gautam Roy as the party finished second with 6 wards whereas the other 10 wards went to the independents, reportedly backed by the former Minister after his list of candidates was turned down by the party. However, indication was clear that the BJP would form the board as a district leader hinted that they were in constant touch with the independent ward commissioners.

In Lala Town Committee BJP in 6 wards, other four went to the independents. The lone Congress candidate faced a disaster.

In Ramkrishnanagar too, BJP won 9 wards as Congress finished as a poor second with only 1 wards.

In Badarpur Town Committee, the Congress was nowhere in the race. BJP won 10 out of 11 wards, the remaining went to an independent.

In Cachar's Muslim dominated Sonai, the BJP was all set to form the Board. The saffron party won in 6 wards directly and two independent candidates supported by BJP also won. Out of 11, BJP with its ally was well ahead with 8 wards. With 3 wards AIUDF finished second. The Congress could not win in a single seat.

Lakhipur, once a strong fort of Congress, saw the rise of BJP in last Assembly election. With the civic body poll, the saffron brigade consolidated its position in this tea tribe dominated constituency. Out of 10, BJP won in 8 wards. Remaining two was shares between Congress and independent.

The Hindu Bengali dominated urban populace of Barak Valley always sided with the BJP. Though in previous terms, all the three main towns including Silchar, the Congress used to rule the municipality. This year for the first time saffron brigade made its presence felt in town committees with chequered population pattern. Sonai win for BJP was a welcome indicator for the party as it was now able to win the Muslim confidence.

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