Assamese unhappy over poll dates-Bihu clash

Guwahati: Political parties and government employees in Assam are not happy with the two-phase Lok Sabha poll dates in the state coinciding with Rongali Bihu, the most important festival of the north-eastern state.

While three constituencies would go to the polls during the first phase on April 16, election to the remaining 11 seats will be held in the second phase on April 23.

The month-long Rongali Bihu celebrations begin from April 13.

The opposition Asom Gana Parishad has expressed unhappiness over the dates as it coincides with Rongali Bohu.

"We welcome the announcement of the polls as the uncertainty over the poll dates is now over but the fact that both phases coincides with Rongali Bihu is indeed unfair reflecting lack of sensitivity for the people of the state", AGP spokesman Atul Bora said.

The BJP, which has formed an alliance with the AGP, too expressed unhappiness over the poll dates. "People will be busy during the festival which in turn will affect campaigning", it said.

Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) expressed resentment over the poll dates but said it would have no impact over the results.

The Congress refused to comment about the poll dates with a party spokesman saying that they will discuss the matter with chief minister Tarun Gogoi.

Government employees in the state have expressed surpise with the poll dates coinciding with Rongali Bihu.

They are planning to send a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil requesting her to change the dates.

Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad general secretary Basav Kalita said the poll dates was not acceptable to the state government employees who would have to leave for poll duties by April 13 as a result of which they will not be able to celebrate even one day of the festival with their near and dear ones.

"Our employees are not willing to work during the Bihu festival and we are going to send a memorandum to the President urging her to postpone the poll dates", he said.

Poll-related activities in the state is yet to pick up with just the opposition AGP and BJP forming an alliance though seat-sharing adjustments are yet to be finalised.

The Congress would go it alone in the forthcoming polls leaving only the Kokrajhar parliamentary seat for Bodo Peoples' Front (BPF), its coalition partner in the state.

In 2004 parliamentary polls, Congress had won nine seats, the BJP and AGP two each followed by an independent (one seat).