In the direct contest between the two national parties that the Assam assembly election is this time, its all about local leaders.
Highlights
- Ex Asom Gana Parishad man Sarbananda Sonowal BJP's CM candidate
- BJP banking on tie-up with Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front
- Congress worried about AIUDF splitting the 11 million Muslim vote
In the direct contest between the two national parties that the Assam assembly election is this time, its all about local leaders and not so much faces from Delhi.
To take on three-time Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi of the Congress, the BJP, a minor player in the state till its power-packed show in the 2014 general election, has drawn its top team in Assam from regional parties like partner Asom Gana Parishad or then Congress rebels.
The BJP's chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal, 53, is a union minister, but this is the former AGP man's first assignment in Delhi. He joined the BJP in 2011 and has served as the party's state chief.
Himanta Biswa Sarma is seen as the principle strategist of the BJP's election campaign.
The BJP also has Himanta Biswa Sarma, 47, once seen as Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's successor in the Congress, but who rebelled against his mentor and now predicts a BJP sweep on the lines of its performance in the national election two years ago.
"Mr Sarma and I work as a team," Mr Sonowal told NDTV, asserting that "everyone wants change in Assam."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led a high-energy BJP campaign in the state, attacking not only on Mr Gogoi but also Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, who head Congress. At one rally, PM Modi said Mr Gogoi would be 90 soon and must consider retirement. Mr Gogoi is 81 and, he says, far from quitting active politics as he seeks a fourth term as chief minister.
While the Congress is contesting the Assam elections on its own, the BJP has tied up with regional parties Prafulla Kumar Mahanta's AGP and the Bodoland People's Front headed by Hagrama Mohilary.
Badruddin Ajmal is the chief of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).
Then there is Badruddin Ajmal, a Bengali-speaking cleric and businessman, who has the Congress worried that his All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) could split the 11 million Muslim vote in Assam, a traditional Congress vote base.
Maulana Ajmal says no party will be able to form government without his help.
Assam is voting in two phases - polling was held in 65 seats on Monday last and the other 61 will vote on next Monday, April 11. Votes will be counted along with four other states on May 19.