Guwahati : Citing robust participation across communities in the ongoing Assembly elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the polls witnessed “unusual enthusiasm,” reflecting heightened public engagement in the democratic process.

Speaking to reporters at Vajpayee Bhawan in Guwahati after the conclusion of polling, Sarma pointed to several constituencies where voter turnout cut across community lines. He highlighted the example of Golakganj, where participation in both Hindu-majority and minority-dominated booths was nearly equal, with some areas recording turnout figures as high as 95 per cent.

“This time, people have voted with unusual enthusiasm. The turnout across communities has been very encouraging,” the Chief Minister said.

Buoyed by the high voter turnout, Sarma expressed confidence that the BJP-led alliance is poised for a decisive mandate. He projected that the alliance could secure more than 90 seats in the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly, adding that even crossing the 100-seat mark would not be unexpected. However, he noted that caution remains necessary until the electoral process is fully completed.

Assessing the opposition’s prospects, Sarma predicted a limited electoral performance. He said the All India United Democratic Front might secure around four to five seats, while the Indian National Congress could remain below the 20-seat mark. According to him, a strong showing by the BJP would significantly constrain the opposition’s overall tally.

The Chief Minister also criticised the opposition’s “three Gogois” narrative, suggesting it failed to resonate with voters. “People have not appreciated the concept. BJP candidates, including our Gogoi, will win with comfortable margins,” he said.

Responding to allegations raised earlier by Congress leader Pawan Khera, Sarma dismissed them as baseless and questioned the credibility of the claims, stating that such accusations lacked substantiation.

With polling now complete, attention shifts to the counting of votes scheduled for May 4, when the final electoral outcome will determine whether the ruling alliance’s projections translate into a renewed mandate.