Campaigning accelerated before the second phase of assembly election

Guwahati, Apr 6 (UNI) All the political parties accelerated their pace of campaigning today before the second phase of assembly elections for the remaining 61 seats in Asom slated for April 10 as inclement weather had hampered it in the last few days.

The first phase of elections for 65 Assembly seats ended peacefuly on April 3.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi is expected here later today to spearhead poll campaign for the party. She is scheduled to attend three other meetings for the day.

Political heavyweights and eminent personalities, contesting in this phase of elections, are expected to face tough contest in a number of constituencies this time.

The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which is trying to regain power, would have to fight the AGP (Progressive) formed by former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta in over a dozen constituencies.

Mr Mahanta, who is contesting from two seats, would also be facing challenges.

Rebel candidates from the Congress and the AGP have made the task more difficult for the existing ministers. The Congress ministers Wazed Ali Choudhury, Ripun Bora, Rockybyl Hussain, Dr Bhumidhar Barman, Ismail Hussain and Deputy Speaker Tanka Bahadur Rai would be facing challenge with the minority dominated Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) eroding the vote bank.

On the otherhand, the AGP with senior leaders like Chandra Mohan Patowari, Dr Kamala Kalita and AGP President Brindaban Goswami would also be facing straight contest from the Congress candidates.

Union Agirculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who arrived here yesterday could attend one meeting due to rain and poor visibility.

He will be campaigning in three places in lower Asom today.

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