Congratulatory messages pour in for CM Sarbanand Sonwal as BJP leads in Assam

As predicted by exit polls, trends till late afternoon on May 2 have given the BJP- led NDA in Assam high hopes for another term in the state. At around 4 pm, the BJP alliance had a lead in 76 assembly seats, while Congress' alliance was ahead in 44 places.

While BJP workers were seen distributing sweets as a celebration, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated Assam's Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their great performance in the northeastern state.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also congratulated CM Sonowal. 

"Congratulations Sarbanand Sonwal on being blessed by the people of Assam. Carrying forward the people-centric policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP with JP Nadda leading from the front, you have well served the state. Wishing FM Himanta Biswa Sarma for his energetic role," she tweeted.

BJP's National Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda, who is also the party in charge in Assam, tweeted asking workers to refrain from any crowded celebration. 

Assam's Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonwal, who is leading from his constituency, Majuli said, "People have blessed us. We can say for sure that the BJP will form government in Assam. We are coming back to power with our partners AGP and UPPL," Sonowal told reporters.

If the BJP alliance does return to power, it will be the first non-Congress government in Assam that has been voted for a consecutive second term.