Guwahati, April 9 (NationPress) Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika conveyed strong assurance on Thursday regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) potential to secure a third consecutive term. He called upon voters to back the party, emphasizing its dedication to safeguarding Assam's culture while promoting rapid development.

The significant Assembly elections in Assam commenced at 7 a.m. on Thursday, witnessing a large turnout of voters across various constituencies.

The political contest in the state is mainly between the BJP and the Congress, with the ruling BJP aiming to maintain its power for a third term, while the Congress seeks to reclaim influence after being out of office since 2016.

Voting is ongoing for all 126 Assembly seats, with vote counting slated for May 4.

In a conversation with IANS, Hazarika, who is running as the BJP candidate for the Jagiroad Assembly constituency, stated, "Voting is in progress. Around 90 percent of the electorate is casting their votes in favor of development, which translates to support for the BJP, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and PM Narendra Modi. I am optimistic that the results will favor the BJP, enabling us to form a government once again for the third time."

He further encouraged the voters, asserting, "We (the BJP) have remained steadfast in our commitment to Assam's culture and its development. Our sole objective is to advance Assam. The Chief Minister consistently prioritizes the state's progress. I implore the public to support us with their votes so we can serve Assam for another five years."

Hazarika made these statements after paying homage at a temple in Aahatguri before casting his vote, accompanied by his wife, actress Aimee Baruah.

Aimee Baruah also remarked on the voter turnout and public sentiment, telling IANS, "In Assam, there are numerous women voters visible, and if you visit any assembly in Assam, you'll notice this. It's not just the women; it's the people's blessings guiding us. We want the populace to vote for us and support development."

She continued, "It's heartening to see people arriving at polling stations since early morning. Throughout this campaign, I've observed that the public is very enthusiastic and supportive of development."

Upon arriving to vote in Morigaon, Hazarika expressed, "This is my constituency; it's my home. The villagers show me love and support. I am confident of winning by a significant margin... The roads were in poor condition before I became an MLA. We have facilitated the establishment of one of the largest industries in the Northeast— a semiconductor industry initiated by Tata, located right in my constituency."

Hazarika further criticized the Congress party, claiming they align with Bangladeshi factions.

He stated, "The Congress party is in a dire situation. In truth, they are associated with Bangladeshi groups, which has led to public discontent. Numerous individuals are no longer supporting them, and many have already abandoned the Congress party. This trend of departing from Congress is likely to continue."

Voting will continue until 5 p.m., with reports of long lines at various polling stations from the early hours. The term of the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly is set to conclude on May 20, highlighting the importance of the ongoing electoral process.