Guwahati, Apr 19: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is all set to sweep the upcoming panchayat elections in the state, citing a significant number of seats already won unopposed.

Sarma said that the NDA has secured 37 Zila Parishad seats (35 by BJP and 2 by AGP) and 288 Anchalik Panchayat seats (259 by BJP and 29 by AGP) without contest. “This is a massive and unprecedented mandate in Assam’s political history. It reflects the immense trust and overwhelming love that the people of Assam have for the NDA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he posted on social media platform X.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the NDA’s tally would further increase after the elections.

Meanwhile, the Congress party released its manifesto for the panchayat polls at a programme held at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati. The manifesto was launched by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Borah and senior leader Ripun Bora.

The panchayat elections in Assam will be held in two phases—on May 2 in 14 districts and on May 7 in the remaining 13 districts. The counting of votes for both phases is scheduled for May 11.

According to the State Election Commission, over 1.80 crore voters, including 90.71 lakh male, 89.65 lakh female, and 408 other voters, will cast their votes across 25,007 polling stations.

State Election Commissioner Alok Kumar clarified that candidates at the Gaon Panchayat level will not represent any political party, while party-affiliated candidates will contest only at the Anchalik Panchayat and Zila Parishad levels.

Elections will be held for 21,920 Gaon Panchayat members, 2,192 Gram Panchayat Presidents, 2,192 Gram Panchayat Vice Presidents, 2,192 Anchalik Panchayat members, 181 Anchalik Panchayat Presidents, 181 Anchalik Panchayat Vice Presidents, and 397 Zila Parishad members.