Lotus blooms in 60 seats in Margherita subdivision, Congress wins 27

Our Correspondent

DIGBOI: The ongoing trend of the counting of votes for the first phase of panchayat poll in Margherita subdivision shows the BJP taking the lion’s share in almost all panchayat portfolios with Golai GP in Digboi which is already under its fold. Of the total 1, 90, 711 voters, 67.48 per cent had exercised their franchise in 5 ZPC and 22 gaon panchayats earlier on December 5.

According to the latest official input, BJP has swept 60 seats while Congress could bring in 27 and Independent candidate won 1 till filing of this report. From the 4.30pm official update, of the total 22 anchalik parishad members seats, two were won by the saffron party in Brahmajan and Hamukjan GP while one at Dwarmara GP by the Congress. Similarly, of the 22 seats for GP president, Brahmajan and Hamukjan were brought under the BJP fold while Dwarmara was won by the Congress. Of the 220 wards, the results for 88 members were out of which 60 went to the BJP while 27 to Congress and one in AGP’s fold.

The Congress emerged victorious in Dwarmara GP and won in six wards, leaving four wards for the saffron party. Six wards in Brahmajan GP went to the BJP folds while four were secured by Congress. Similarly, six wards were conquered by the BJP in Lekhapani GP. The Congress was outperformed by the BJP in Jagun GP too wherein out of 10, only a single ward member seat went to the Congress. Election was held in 11 Panchayats for 3 ZP seats, 11 AP members seats, 11 GP presidents and 110 ward members in Digboi Assembly Constituency wherein the Golai GP was stormed by the BJP with eight, seats leaving just two for the Congress.

The trend reveals that the saffron party might win in most of the panchayats under Digboi constituency which might not be surprising in the wake of a strong dissidence – a suicidal factor - among the Congress leaders like Gautam Dhanowar and Ashok Sharma regarding placing of candidatures of their choice. Of the total 601 candidates, 591 candidates are in the fray while 10 candidates were already declared uncontested. All the major political parties, including BJP, Congress and Asom Gana Parishad are contesting the elections.

“The final results are likely to be available only by late night or the next day since polling was conducted using paper ballots. The counting is underway amid tight security. CCTVs have been installed in counting centres and the team is working in a peaceful atmosphere,” said Sumit Satawan, the SDO (Civil) Margherita.

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