Advantage Congress in Asom

Guwahati, Apr 02 (UNI) As half of Asom goes to poll tomorrow the final contours of Assam Poll 2006 are fast emerging with the AGP and the Congress ready for the kill, reducing BJP and smaller parties to be post poll player.

The Congress is way ahead but the AGP has led a spirited fightback both in upper Asom and lower Asom giving sleepless nights to the former party, which is confident of another term with the help of the Bodos.

''In the eventuality of any need the Bodo party will help us but I do not think such necessity is there at the moment'' said Himanta Biswa Sharma, the finance minister of the state.

There are undercurrent anti-incumbency factors for Congress in some areas but it has not turned into emotional tide to help them sweep the elections as there is no issue.

As the cacophony of canvassing reached its crescendo, the BJP has reconciled to the fact that they are playing a marginal role while the smaller regional and left parties are not sure what lays ahead in future as Congress seems to be overconfident and AGP is hoping for a grand alliance.

''There is no contest. We are winning at least 80 seats. I think we should add nine more seats this time'' said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Even the most optimistic of the Congress supporters know that it would be too tall a claim despite the fact that he personally enjoys a very high rating amongst the ordinary voters.

The AGP is also not far behind in the rhetoric. ''The next Chief Minister of Asom is Mr. Brindabon Goswami'' claims AGP general secretary Chandra Mohan Patowary never admitting for once that even in the height of AGP wave in 1985, the party secured just 63 seats.

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