BJP dominates in Cachar, Sribhumi

Time of India

12-05-2025

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Silchar: BJP swept the panchayat polls elections in Cachar and Sribhumi districts, while in Hailakandi the two major parties (BJP and Congress) shared equal number of Zila Parishad seats after results were declared on Monday, reports BB Goswami.In Cachar, BJP secured a commanding victory, winning 16 out of 25 Zilla Parishad seats.
The Congress managed to win seven seats, while independent candidates took two. In Sribhumi, BJP secured 11 seats out of 16, with Congress winning five. Hailakandi presented a different picture, with BJP and Congress each winning three seats, and independents securing two, resulting in a hung Zila Parishad with a total of eight seats.Following the election results, intense lobbying is underway in Hailakandi as both major parties vie to sway the two independent candidates to their side. Assam minister and Patharkandi MLA Karishnendu Paul visited Hailakandi on Monday evening to strategize with party leaders and assess the district's political dynamics, including the BJP's underwhelming performance.Political analysts suggest that delimitation of panchayat seats prior to the elections may have adversely affected the BJP's chances. "Many of the Congress candidates who won did so from Hindu-majority constituencies. This is a matter of concern for the BJP, which perhaps underestimated the electoral impact of community demographics," commented a political analyst.The election results also reflect the region's communal dynamics. In Hailakandi, the three BJP Zila Parishad winners are from the Hindu community, while the Congress and independents are predominantly from the Muslim community.While Barak Valley has historically been known for peaceful coexistence among different communities, analysts note that election times tend to witness heightened communal polarization, often overshadowing developmental and welfare issues.Muslims are in majority in the Sribhumi and Hailakandi districts and Cachar district sees a marginal Hindu majority.As the district authorities and political parties continue to negotiate and strategize, the upcoming days will be crucial in determining the formation of the Zila Parishad in Hailakandi and the future political landscape of Barak Valley, analysts say.