GUWAHATI: The quiet at Rajiv Bhawan grew more pronounced on Monday as counting of votes for the Assam Assembly elections indicated a strong lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) across Guwahati and much of the state.
ALSO READ: BJP Leader Ranoj Pegu Thanks Voters After Re-Election from Dhemaji, Vows Developmental Push
With trends from key constituencies such as Dispur, Jalukbari, Guwahati Central, Dimoria, and New Guwahati showing BJP candidates ahead, the mood at the state headquarters of the Indian National Congress remained subdued and cautious. The early leads, which steadily consolidated through successive rounds of counting, pointed towards a significant advantage for the ruling party in the city.
Inside Rajiv Bhawan, only a handful of Congress workers were present, quietly following updates on television screens and mobile phones. Conversations were hushed, often interrupted by glances at the latest numbers scrolling across news channels. There were no visible signs of mobilisation or crowd build-up, a stark contrast to the high-energy atmosphere witnessed during the campaign period.
“The trends are not encouraging so far, but counting is still underway,” said a party worker, choosing to remain unnamed. “We are waiting for the final picture before reacting.”
The silence appeared to reflect not just uncertainty but also an acknowledgment of the emerging trend. Across Assam, the BJP and its allies were leading in a majority of constituencies, putting the party on course for a likely victory if the trends hold. The developments have dampened expectations within the Congress camp, which had hoped for a stronger showing following its campaign efforts.
Security remained tight around Rajiv Bhawan, with personnel deployed at the entrance and barricades in place to manage any potential gatherings. However, the anticipated influx of supporters was notably absent as the day progressed, reinforcing the sense of restraint within the party ranks.
Senior Congress leaders were largely missing from the party office, monitoring the counting process from other locations. Political observers noted that such a low-key approach is often adopted when early trends do not favour a party, allowing leaders to avoid premature statements and recalibrate their response.
“The atmosphere at party headquarters often mirrors the direction of the results. Right now, the quietness at Rajiv Bhawan suggests a wait-and-watch approach amid unfavourable trends,” said a political analyst in Guwahati.
Meanwhile, reports of celebrations began to emerge from BJP offices in parts of the city and elsewhere in the state, as party workers reacted to the leads. The contrast between the two camps was evident—where one saw growing enthusiasm, the other remained enveloped in silence.
As counting continues across Assam, along with other poll-bound states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, the political landscape appears to be tilting decisively in favour of the BJP. In Guwahati, where all five constituencies are witnessing BJP leads, the outcome could further consolidate the party’s dominance in the region.
For now, Rajiv Bhawan stands in quiet reflection—its stillness capturing the uncertainty, and perhaps the acceptance, of a day that is unfolding against the Congress party’s expectations.