The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance registered a resounding victory in the inaugural municipal corporation elections of Silchar, the second-largest city in Assam. Out of the total 42 corporation wards, the NDA coalition captured an overwhelming majority of 34 seats. Official results released on Tuesday confirmed that the opposition Congress managed to win just 2 seats, while independent candidates emerged victorious in 6 wards. Conducted through traditional paper ballots, this electoral battle firmly established the ruling coalition's administrative control over the newly formed urban local body.
Counting Proceedings and Demands for Recounting in Two Wards
The municipal contest witnessed a total of 133 candidates vying for councillor positions across the city. Following polling, counting of paper ballots commenced on Tuesday, October 6 at 8:00 AM, rapidly demonstrating strong leads for the NDA nominees across most segments. Meanwhile, the BJP submitted a formal demand seeking a recount in ward number 29 and ward number 30, where independent and Congress candidates were declared winners. However, election authorities have not taken up any consideration regarding a recount on those two disputed seats so far.
Uncontested Victories and Turnout Metrics
Although the civic body comprises 42 wards, voting actually took place across 40 wards. The BJP had already secured an early advantage when its candidates, Bijendra Prasad Singh from ward number 9 and Bhakti Sen Talukdar from ward number 20, won their respective seats uncontested prior to the voting day. Across the remaining wards, voter participation remained active, registering an overall turnout of 70.22 percent. This decisive municipal triumph follows closely behind the state assembly elections held this past May, where the BJP-led NDA returned to power with a massive legislative majority.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the Mandate
Welcoming the decisive outcome, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated party workers and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the voters of Silchar. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Another victory for Assam BJP. In the Silchar Municipal Corporation elections, which were held using ballot papers, the people have given us an overwhelming majority." He emphasized that the verdict reaffirmed the public's confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his vision of modern urban governance under the Viksit Bharat agenda. The Chief Minister also reiterated his administration's pledge to transform Silchar into one of the premier urban centres of Assam.
State BJP Chief Dilip Saikia Takes Aim at Congress
Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia also weighed in on the electoral sweep, attributing the outcome to the pro-development policies steered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Taking a direct swipe at the primary opposition party, Dilip Saikia remarked, "Congress always complains about tampering with EVMs, but this election was held with ballot papers and they are nowhere to be found here." He highlighted that even in an election conducted entirely via paper ballots, the electorate decisively rejected the Congress.
