Assam Picks BJP Show Early Trends, Congress Crushed

Before counting began in Assam today, the man who's hoping to head the BJP's first government in the North East offered his prayers at a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

"I asked for the welfare of the people of Assam," said Sarbananda Sonowal.

Mr Sonowal said he is optimistic that the BJP will manage 'Mission 84' (referring to the party's target of a possible 126 seats).

At 9 am, early leads showed a huge gap between the BJP and the incumbent Congress, headed by Tarun Gogoi, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term as Chief Minister. Of 36 leads, the BJP was ahead in 25.

"Good luck to him (Sonowal)," said Mr Gogoi in an interview to NDTV, adding that he "does not want to talk about politics or exit polls".

Anti-incumbency and the defection to the BJP of a key strategist and aide- Himanta Biswa Sarma- appear to have hit Mr Gogoi. So has his party's refusal to partner with other outfits in the state. The main Muslim party, the AIUDF, headed by Maulana Badruddin Ajmal, is accruing big gains at the cost of the Congress.