Exit Polls Predict BJP Victory in Assam; Himanta Biswa Sarma Poised for Second Term as Chief Minister
Counting of votes scheduled for May 4; Union Home Minister Amit Shah publicly backed Sarma's leadership throughout the campaign
Quick Look
- Exit polls predict BJP's return to power in Assam, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expected to serve a second term.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah explicitly backed Sarma's leadership during campaign rallies.
- Vote counting is scheduled for May 2, 2026, with the party confident of securing another term in the 126-member Assembly.
AI-generated summary
Elections are over and the wait is now for counting day. With most exit polls predicting a BJP victory in Assam, the party appears confident of returning to power.
More than the party, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and leaders close to him are confident of his return as chief minister. Some BJP leaders in the state feel that this time there is little doubt over the CM's face, with Sarma set for a second stint if the BJP comes back to power.
The counting of votes will take place on May 2. Several BJP leaders point out that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a series of rallies, said the BJP would return to power in Assam under the leadership of Sarma.
In 2016, BJP projected Sarbananda Sonowal against three-time CM Tarun Gogoi and won 60 seats. In 2021, under Sonowal's leadership, the BJP won 60 seats again in the 126-member Assembly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 2016 polls, used the slogan "Assam ka Anand Sarbanand" (Assam's pleasure, Sarbanand). In 2021, it took several days for the BJP leadership to announce the chief ministerial name.
A BJP leader, who did not wish to be named, told ET, "There were days of uncertainty and a series of meetings took place in New Delhi, and then the party leadership finally zeroed in on the name of Sarma."
