 "Poll 2014 starts as 6 constituencies from Assam and Tripura vote in first phase")
In the first phase of 2014 general elections, five constituencies in Assam and one constituency in Tripura today went to polls where voters exercised their franchise to elect their representatives, thus kick-starting the mega-election process, which would be held over next five weeks in another eight phases across India.
As per preliminary reports, the five constituencies of Assam recorded around 75 per cent polling till 5pm whereas the lone constituency from Tripura recorded 84 per cent polling. The voting process started at 7 in the morning and brisk voting was witnessed in both the states. There were around 77 lakh registered voters in the six constituencies.
No untoward incident has been reported from any of the constituencies. In Assam, the banned outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa), for the first time in recent memory, did not issue any boycott call. The five constituencies of Assam which went to polls today were - Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kaliabor, Tezpur and Lakhimpur (all in Upper Assam), in addition to West Tripura constituency.
However, the CPI(M) is poised to win the West Tripura constituency, piggy riding the developmental works undertaken by Manik Sarkar-led Left Front government. The party has been retaining the seat since 1996. Three constituencies from Assam would next go to polls on April 12 and rest six constituencies on Arpil 24, which includes the prestigious Guwahati constituency. The East Tripura constituency would go to polls in April 12.
As per preliminary reports, the five constituencies of Assam recorded around 75 per cent polling till 5pm whereas the lone constituency from Tripura recorded 84 per cent polling. The voting process started at 7 in the morning and brisk voting was witnessed in both the states. There were around 77 lakh registered voters in the six constituencies.
No untoward incident has been reported from any of the constituencies. In Assam, the banned outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa), for the first time in recent memory, did not issue any boycott call. The five constituencies of Assam which went to polls today were - Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kaliabor, Tezpur and Lakhimpur (all in Upper Assam), in addition to West Tripura constituency.
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Though Upper Assam has been a traditional stronghold of the Congress party, with the tea garden labourers constituting its vote-bank, this time around the BJP, thanks to 'Modi-wave', had posed a serious challenge to the Congress in at least Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur and Jorhat constituencies. Congress candidate from Dibrugarh, Paban Singh Ghatowar, is a Union minister in UPA II government, so is Lakhimpur Congress candidate Ranee Narah. Jorhat Congress candidate BK Handique, an octogenarian, too was a minister in the UPA II government. This election also marked the debut of Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi's son Gaurav Gogoi from Kaliabor constituency, earlier represented by his uncle Dip Gogoi.
However, the CPI(M) is poised to win the West Tripura constituency, piggy riding the developmental works undertaken by Manik Sarkar-led Left Front government. The party has been retaining the seat since 1996. Three constituencies from Assam would next go to polls on April 12 and rest six constituencies on Arpil 24, which includes the prestigious Guwahati constituency. The East Tripura constituency would go to polls in April 12.