New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) After the Election Commission announced schedule for assembly elections to four states and a Union Territory, the Congress on Sunday said it will emerge victorious in all these states and that the BJP will face widespread rejection for its “anti-people, divisive and destructive politics”.
In an X post, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said the Congress “will script history” on May 4.
“The long-awaited elections for Keralam, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry have finally been announced! We are confident that we will emerge victorious in all states, and that the BJP will face widespread rejection for their anti-people, divisive and destructive politics, which have weakened India globally and brought misery to the poor and marginalised sections of India,” Venugopal said.
“In Tamil Nadu, our rock-solid alliance with (Chief Minister) M K Stalin will return to power and continue its stellar track record of good governance,” he said.
“And undoubtedly, in my home state Keralam, the UDF is getting massive support from all sections of society and will come to power with a landslide victory of 100+ seats!” Venugopal said, adding, “We will script history on 4th May!” Earlier in the day, he said the campaign period was very short.
“In between, there will be Holy Week, and the election is scheduled a few days before the Vishu festival. In practical terms, there are very limited days for campaigning,” he said.
Venugopal, however, said the Congress is ready for the election.
“UDF will strongly move forward to end LDF’s misgovernance in Keralam. The people of Keralam are awaiting it,” he said.
The Election Commission on Sunday announced that assembly elections in Assam, Keralam and Puducherry will be held on a single day on April 9, in Tamil Nadu on April 23, and in two phases in West Bengal on April 23 and 29, while votes will be counted for all polls on May 4.
Compared to eight voting days spread across almost a month in 2021, there will be three polling days in a span of 20 days in the elections this year, which will see the BJP trying to retain power in Assam, while it will be pitted against ruling parties in West Bengal, Keralam and Tamil Nadu. Puducherry is governed by NDA partner All India N R Congress.
A total of 17.4 crore voters are eligible to vote in the elections to five assemblies with 824 constituencies.
The model code of conduct has come into effect immediately with the announcement of the poll schedule.
Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Keralam are currently ruled by opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Trinamool Congress and Left Front, respectively.
There are 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu where DMK leader M K Stalin has been the chief minister since 2021.
West Bengal has a total of 294 assembly seats with TMC leader Mamata Banerjee in power since 2011.
Keralam has 140 seats and Left leader Pinarayi Vijayan has been the chief minister since 2016, leading the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.
In Assam, there are 126 assembly seats, and the BJP has been in power in the Northeastern state since 2016. Himanta Biswa Sarma has been the chief minister since 2021.
Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy has been in power since 2021. The Union Territory has a total of 30 seats where polling will take place.
The term of the assembly will come to an end in West Bengal on May 7, in Tamil Nadu on May 10, in Assam on May 20, in Kerala on May 23, and in Puducherry on June 15. PTI ASK RUK RUK
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