Factors in Bihar will have importance in Assam polls too, says analyst

Subimal Bhattacharya, a political analyst in conversation with ETV Bharat said that Covid has taken a lot of focus from development to its management and various issues involving Covid would play its role in the coming Assam and West Bengal elections. It may be mentioned here that Assembly election in Assam is scheduled to take place in April.

New Delhi: A day before counting of votes in Bihar Assembly election, political analyst Subimal Bhattacharya on Monday told ETV Bharat that the factors of Bihar election will have its impact in next years Assam election too.

He said that in spite of some good work done by the government, there are lots of issues coming up for the ruling party.

"Issues ranging around Covid-19 management, labour migration, availability of proper health care would certainly play a big role in the state election," said Bhattacharya.

The exit poll of Bihar election shows RJD lead grand alliance ahead of NDA. The alliance of opposition parties accused the Nitish Kumar government in mishandling Covid management, labour migration, poor healthcare facilities among others.

"Covid has taken a lot of focus from development to its management. No doubt, various issues involving Covid would play its role in the coming election," said Bhattacharya and added, "as it has played a role in Bihar, it will have its impact in the coming Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections too."

It may be mentioned here that Assembly election in Assam is scheduled to take place in April. During the same time, West Bengal is also likely to witness state election.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's developmental initiatives being taken for Assam, Sabrananda Sonowal led Assam government is eyeing to capture power again in the state.

"Agenda of the government should be to keep the pace of development. Prime Minister has given maximum importance towards Northeast and Assam. The Assam government has also set up an Act East department...however, it's necessary to see how much work it has done," said Bhattacharya.

He pointed out that factors like NRC and CAA would also play a vital role in the coming election. In fact, the Assembly elections might also witness the emergence of a few new political parties too.

"A new political offshoots of All Assam Students Union (AASU) might come up whereas the state may also witnesses emergence of Bengali political parties," said Bhattacharya.

He said that the controversy over NRC and CAA will be contributing to the emergence of new political parties.

"It's more than a year Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules have not been notified by the government which has created resentment among a large section of Bengali community in the state," said Bhattacharya.

The government has blamed the current Covid19 pandemic for its failure in notifying the CAA rules till date.

The CAA which was passed by the Parliament and notified by the President gives citizenship status to the people of minority community from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who have taken shelter in India before December 2014 following religious prosecution.

Bhattacharya said that Assam which has always been witnessing a lot of polarization, "Will certainly witness a new political equation with various interest groups with their numbers play an important role."

"This time it might not be a one-sided election...," added Bhattacharya.

BJP and its alliance bagged 86 seats in the 126 member Assam Assembly in the last election and dethroned the Congress from power.