Assam Lok Sabha elections 2024: Himanta Biswa Sarma cast his vote in Amingaon polling station

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma arrives to cast his vote in Amingaon polling station for Barpeta Parliamentary Constituency on May 7.

This time NDA has fielded BJP ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) candidate Phani Bhusan Choudhury against Congress' Deep Bayan.

The four Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam, where polling was underway on Tuesday in the third phase, recorded a voter turnout of 45.88 per cent till 1 pm, officials said

Dhubri recorded the highest turnout of 47.73 per cent, followed by Barpeta at 46.83 per cent, Kokrajhar at 46.43 per cent, and Guwahati at 42.13 per cent.

Polling began at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm.

Also Read: Assam Lok Sabha election 2024: Four Lok Sabha seats register voter turnout of 45.88 per cent till 1 PM

Earlier while addressing the media, Sarma said the party's strategy to secure a considerable portion of the Muslim vote bank, claiming that half of the state's Muslim electorate has already cast their ballots in favour of the BJP in completed constituencies. He attributed this support to the recognition among Muslim voters that the BJP's agenda is beneficial to their interests.

With the impending third phase of polling, attention is particularly drawn to constituencies like Barpeta and Guwahati. Sarma announced his active involvement in campaigning for BJP allies in these constituencies highlighting the importance of consolidating support among diverse communities.

Sarma's assertions extend beyond electoral politics, as he launched a scathing critique of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a rally in Barpeta. He contrasted the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a hypothetical scenario under Gandhi's leadership, emphasizing the strides made under Modi's governance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.