Jorhat (Assam), 25 February (HS): Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday announced in Jorhat that new faces would be given party tickets in 40 Assembly constituencies in the upcoming state elections. He also urged that the Assembly polls in Assam be conducted before Bohag Bihu.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the state government has requested the Election Commission to schedule the elections ahead of the Rongali (Bohag) Bihu festivities so that the electoral process concludes smoothly before the celebrations begin.

Taking a swipe at the opposition, Sarma claimed that the Congress would lose even the status of Leader of the Opposition in the next Assembly. He stated that a party needs to secure at least 22 seats to attain the Leader of the Opposition status and alleged that the Congress would fail to meet that mark.

The Chief Minister further asserted that if the Congress hands over constituencies where it has strong winning prospects to AJP and Raijor Dal, the party would be reduced to zero seats in the Assembly.---------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash