19 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

4 min

Polity & GovernanceNEWS

BJP Aims for 50% Vote Share Per Booth in Assam

BJP national president urges Assam workers to secure 50% votes per booth.

Photo by AMIT RANJAN

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Nitin Nabin urged party workers to secure at least 50% of the votes in every polling booth for the upcoming Assam Assembly election. He focused on the eastern part of the state, dominated by indigenous and "tea tribes" communities. Nabin lauded the workers for helping the BJP secure more than 45% of votes in the last two elections.

He criticized Congress and defended the State government's actions against "Bangladeshi infiltrators" and encroachers. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed confidence that the BJP would improve its 2021 tally of 60 seats.

Key Facts

BJP national president Nitin Nabin urged party workers to secure at least 50% of votes in every polling booth.

The focus is on the eastern part of Assam, dominated by indigenous and tea tribes communities.

The BJP aims to improve its 2021 tally of 60 seats.

Nitin Nabin lauded party workers for helping the BJP secure more than 45% of votes in the last two elections.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Representation of the People Act, Role of ECI

GS Paper II: Social Justice - Issues related to marginalized communities, NRC

GS Paper V: Assam Specific - Demographic changes, indigenous rights

In Simple Words

The BJP wants to win more than half the votes in each local voting area in Assam. They are focusing on areas where indigenous people and tea workers live. The goal is to make sure they win the upcoming election.

India Angle

In India, political parties often focus on specific communities or regions to win elections. This strategy is common in states with diverse populations, where local issues can significantly influence voting patterns.

For Instance

Think of it like a local shopkeeper trying to get most of the customers in their neighborhood. They might offer special deals or cater to the specific needs of the people living nearby to gain their support.

This strategy can affect which party comes to power and how the government addresses local issues. It could influence policies related to indigenous communities, tea workers, and overall development in Assam.

Every vote counts, and parties focus on winning every local area to secure overall victory.

More Information

Background

Political parties in India often focus on specific demographics and regions to maximize their electoral gains. This strategy involves identifying key voter groups and tailoring their campaigns to address the specific concerns and aspirations of these communities. The BJP's focus on the eastern part of Assam, particularly the indigenous and "tea tribes" communities, reflects this targeted approach. The Scheduled Tribes and other marginalized communities have historically faced socio-economic challenges. Political parties often promise specific benefits and protections to these groups to secure their support. The BJP's emphasis on addressing the issue of "Bangladeshi infiltrators" and encroachers also resonates with certain segments of the population concerned about demographic changes and resource allocation. This issue has been a long-standing point of contention in Assam's political landscape. The Election Commission of India (ECI) plays a crucial role in ensuring free and fair elections. The ECI oversees the entire electoral process, including voter registration, delimitation of constituencies, and the conduct of elections. Political parties must adhere to the ECI's guidelines and regulations to maintain the integrity of the electoral process. The Representation of the People Act, 1951, governs the conduct of elections in India and provides the legal framework for the ECI's operations.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been increased focus on the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, aimed at identifying illegal immigrants. This process has been controversial, with concerns raised about its impact on marginalized communities. The issue of citizenship and immigration remains a sensitive and politically charged topic in the state. The Assam government has also been actively pursuing policies aimed at protecting the rights and interests of indigenous communities. These policies include measures to promote their cultural heritage, provide economic opportunities, and safeguard their land rights. The effectiveness and impact of these policies are subject to ongoing debate and scrutiny. Looking ahead, the upcoming Assam Assembly election will be a crucial test for the BJP and its allies. The party's ability to maintain its support base and secure a majority in the assembly will depend on its success in addressing the concerns of various communities and delivering on its promises. The election outcome will also have significant implications for the political landscape of the state and the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the BJP's target vote share per booth in Assam, and why is this significant for the upcoming elections?

The BJP aims to secure 50% of the votes in every polling booth in Assam. This is significant because it reflects a targeted approach to maximize electoral gains by focusing on specific demographics and regions, particularly the eastern part of Assam.

2. Why is the eastern part of Assam, with its indigenous and 'tea tribes' communities, a key focus for the BJP?

The eastern part of Assam is a key focus because these communities represent a significant voter base. Political parties often target specific demographics to tailor their campaigns and address their concerns, aiming to consolidate support and improve their chances of winning elections. The BJP secured a bulk of Assembly seats from these communities in 2016.

3. What are the key facts and figures to remember about the Assam Assembly elections for the UPSC Prelims?

Key facts include the BJP's target of 50% vote share per booth, the focus on eastern Assam, and the total number of seats in the Assam Assembly (126). Also, remember that the BJP aims to improve upon its 2021 tally of 60 seats and that in the last two elections, BJP secured approximately 45% of the votes.

4. How might the BJP's emphasis on actions against 'Bangladeshi infiltrators' influence public opinion and electoral outcomes in Assam?

This emphasis can polarize public opinion, potentially consolidating support among those concerned about illegal immigration while alienating minority groups. Electoral outcomes may be influenced by how effectively the BJP communicates its stance and how the opposition responds to these issues. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a related sensitive issue.

5. What are the recent developments related to the BJP's strategy in Assam, and why are they in the news?

The recent developments involve the BJP national president urging party workers to secure a 50% vote share per booth. This is in the news because it signals the party's intensified focus on Assam and its ambition to increase its seat tally in the upcoming elections. This also highlights the importance of demographic targeting in elections.

6. What background context is important to understand the BJP's focus on Assam?

Understanding the focus requires knowing that political parties in India often target specific demographics and regions to maximize electoral gains. The BJP's focus on the eastern part of Assam, particularly the indigenous and 'tea tribes' communities, reflects this targeted approach. The party secured a bulk of Assembly seats from these communities in 2016.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Election Commission of India (ECI): 1. The ECI is a constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections in India. 2. The ECI is responsible for delimitation of constituencies. 3. The ECI can enforce the Model Code of Conduct during elections. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: D

All the statements are correct. Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is indeed a constitutional body established to ensure free and fair elections in the country. It derives its powers from the Constitution of India. Statement 2 is CORRECT: Delimitation of constituencies, which involves redrawing boundaries to ensure equal representation, is a key function of the ECI. Statement 3 is CORRECT: The Model Code of Conduct, a set of guidelines for political parties and candidates during elections, is enforced by the ECI to maintain a level playing field.

2. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam, based on the provided information?

A.BJP aims to secure at least 50% of the votes in every polling booth in the upcoming Assam Assembly election.
B.BJP secured more than 45% of votes in the last two elections in Assam.
C.The BJP is focusing on the eastern part of Assam, dominated by indigenous and "tea tribes" communities.
D.The BJP aims to decrease its 2021 tally of 60 seats in the upcoming election.

Show Answer

Answer: D

Option D is NOT correct. According to the summary, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed confidence that the BJP would improve its 2021 tally of 60 seats. The other options are directly supported by the information provided.

3. In the context of Assam, consider the following statements: 1. The "tea tribes" community is a significant demographic in the eastern part of the state. 2. The issue of "Bangladeshi infiltrators" has been a long-standing point of contention in Assam's political landscape. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2

Show Answer

Answer: C

Both statements are correct and are supported by the provided information. The BJP is focusing on the eastern part of Assam, dominated by indigenous and "tea tribes" communities. The BJP also emphasizes addressing the issue of "Bangladeshi infiltrators," which has been a long-standing point of contention in Assam's political landscape.