Low key campaign in backward Barpeta

Barpeta, Asom, Apr 4 (UNI) Elections in Asom's Barpeta district will be a three-way battle between the Congress, the AGP and the newly-formed Asom United Democratic Front, floated by billionaire businessman Maulana Badruddin Ajmal.

The party, though a new entrant, is giving anxious moments to the Congress, especially in this district, which has a predominantly Muslim population. Polling will be held here in the second phase of assembly elections on April 10.

The district, with a total electorate of about nine lakh, has eight constituencies. Most of these are backward with poor infrastructure and other amenities.

People of this district pursue agriculture and pisciculture as their main livelihood. Though the literacy level is not that bad the rate of unemployment is quite high.

The campaign in the district, comprising Sarbhog, Bhawanipur, Barpeta, Jania, Baghbar, Sarukhetri, Chenga and Patacharkuchi, has been low key so far with most of the candidates organising public meetings and going door-to-door for garnering support.

Even as the Congress candidates are harping upon the 'achievements' of their Government and projecting Sonia Gandhi's "sacrifice", the opposition, mainly the UDF and the AGP, are raising the issue of development, which it seems has evaded the district.

The UDF candidates are wooing the electorate, especially the Muslims, on their agenda of development. The AGP is also campaigning hard to gain a foot-hold in these areas.

The district has been traditionally a Congress stronghold but with the advent of the UDF on the scene, the contest this time is likely to be interesting.

With most parties concentrating on the campaign for the first phase which concluded with the polling yesterday, no star campaigners have been here till now. The situation is expected to change in the coming days and the district will witness some hectic campaigning.

UNI YA NK DS1445