Assembly elections: Assam polls likely in mid-May

NEW DELHI, January 10: The Election Commission today hinted at the possibility of simultaneous elections to the Assemblies in five States before the third week of May. The five States of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam would be completing their terms between May 21 and June 11. The present AGP-led coalition Government is completing its term in office on June 11. The CEC MS Gill said the Election Commission of India (EC) was focusing on the aspect of having a good law and order situation in all the five States. "While we expect State Governments to do its bid, we also expect political parties as responsible organisations of this country to fight the polls in a peaceful manner, he said, talking to newsmen here today. There was however, no indication whether the poll process in the five States would be a one-day affairs or would be held in phases in view of the critical law and order situation in Assam and West Bengal. The EC's indication literally set the ball rolling for the Assembly polls, as the Assam Congress president, Tarun Gogoi today held a crucial meeting with the AICC High Command to prepare the Party's draft manifesto and selection of candidates. The Assam Congress leadership was asked to immediately finalise its chargesheet against the AGP-led coalition government. Meanwhile, the process of alignment and re-alignment of political forces in Assam is likely to intensify. The BJP National Executive has already given its go ahead to its State unit to form alliance with smaller regional parties. The Assam-Congress president, Tarun Gogoi after his day-long meeting with general secretary (organisational affairs), Oscar Fernandes and other senior leaders told this newspaper that they are keeping their option of forming alliance open in the State. Gogoi said the issue did figure in his meeting and consensus was that the Congress in Assam would be interested to form alliances with any secular forces barring the Asom Gana Parishad and the BJP. The Congress like its counterpart in BJP may also go for alliances with smaller regional parties having influences in certain pockets, where their own prospect are not bright. The aim is to ensure that Congress support base remained intact, a senior leader of the party said. Meanwhile, the AICC High Command asked for the list of applications of candidates from the State unit for screening by the Central leadership.