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What is the favourite point of discussion when you have a journalist, an academician, a businessman, a housewife and taxi driver inside a cab going from Guwahati to Shillong? No guesses, it is Politics. 
 
People from all spheres of life in the north-east want to know who is winning in Assam and the moment you tell them you are from Delhi, they want to listen more. 
 The counting of votes for the 126-member assembly in Assam will take place on May 19 and the <keyword id="43771" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Exit-polls">exit polls</keyword> have already given the verdict, and it is exactly what majority of the people from Assam want. 
 
As per the exit polls, BJP will leapfrog through the 64-seat mark. Yes, they want Narendra Modi to win, badly! 
 
Read again. 
 
They want MODI to win. Assam has not voted for BJP the party, but only for the prime minister, whose wax statue recently got inducted in the much-famed Madame Tussauds. 
 
Be it a PhD from IIM Guwahati or a housewife, who has two bagsful of household materials, they want Modi to win as they believe he will address their problems and can take the state forward. 
 
“You will see how Modi will transform this place. He has done so much for Gujarat and is getting big companies from across the world to India. He has dreams to transform India. We believe he will bring about a change here also,” said the businessman, only to be seconded by the driver. 
 
As we took the sharp turn in the hilly terrain through torrential rain, the housewife chipped in, “Major thing is we want to get rid of the curfew. We want Sonowal to become the chief minister who should, under the guidance of Modi, listen to our grievances. The way Modi has reached out to us, no one has.” 
 
Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah are master strategists when it comes to campaigning. Even during the Assam campaigning, various social media tools were used to woo voters. 
 
“At least Modi is coming out in the open to speak to us. Tarun Gogoi never knew what to do with the region. We are hard working people,” said the driver. 
 
The local sentiment is not gauged by these four people only, others in local market, shops, hotels also want him to come, which means Modi’s BJP is definitely coming to Assam, ending the 15-year Congress rule. 
 
Modi, during electioneering, appealed to the Assamese to give him five years and lambasted Congress over water, power and employment issues. 
 
He in fact went a step ahead to gel with the crowd and also invoked goddess Kamakhya and sang an Assamese song to connect with the locals. 
 
“Business is not easy here. We are also fed up of migration and people from Bangladesh are a major point of contention for us,” said the businessman. 
 
Any criticism of Modi and his government almost certainly falls on deaf ears, or people reply with a curt, “He should be given time. Rome was also not built in a day. What he is doing now, will bear fruits in next five years. People of Assam are very patient. You should be too.” I was left without a reply there. 
 
If Modi does win the Assam battle, it will come as a huge sigh of relief after the BJP lost in Delhi and Bihar. 
 
If at all Modi, who played his development plank once again during campaigning, wins election in Assam, he will have to deliver his ‘all-round’ development pitch. Else, voters, might not be so welcoming. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Exit polls: Local sentiment in Assam is with Modi, the BJP’s one man army as they call him there

<table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Assam Exit Poll </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;"> </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;"> </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;"> </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Party Names </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">2014 Result </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">IPSOS-News18 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Todays's Chanakya </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 0pt 2pt 0pt;">TimesNow - VMR </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">7 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">9 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">10 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">6 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">INC(Indian National Congress) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">3 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">3 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">3 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">7 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Others </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">4 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">2 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">1 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.75pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.75pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">1 </td></tr></tbody></table> Spread over an area of 78,438 square kilometers and sharing its borders with the North Eastern states of the country, <keyword id="6354915" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="assam">Assam</keyword> has a total number of 2,18,15,823 voters among whom the males are 1,11,86,860 and females are 1,06,28,460. The third gender voters in the state are 503 in number. During 2014 <keyword id="56978" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha-elections">Lok Sabha elections</keyword>, Assam gave 7 seats to the BJP and 3 seats were bagged by AIUDF. The Congress party won from 3 constituencies while just 1 seat was given to other parties. In 2009 general elections for the <keyword id="6355187" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword>, the state gave 7 seats to the Congress party while BJP could win only from 4 constituencies. The performance of the Congress party was good in 2009 general elections when the party won from 9 constituencies with BJP claiming only 2 seats. The total number of Lok Sabha seats in Assam are 14. Among them, 1 seat is reserved for the scheduled castes and 2 are earmarked for the scheduled tribes. The state can send 7 Rajya Sabha members to represent it. The number of assembly constituencies in Assam are 126. The latest assembly elections in the state of Assam were held in May 2016. The Lok Sabha <keyword id="4300495" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Elections-2019">elections 2019</keyword> happened in the state in three phases on April 11, April 18 and April 23.

Assam exit poll 2019 for Lok Sabha Elections

The magic number in the north-eastern state of Assam is 64. <keyword id="58687" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharatiya-Janata-Party">Bharatiya Janata Party</keyword>’s <keyword id="90408" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Himanta-Biswa-Sarma">Himanta Biswa Sarma</keyword>, representing the <keyword id="105903" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Democratic-Alliance">National Democratic Alliance</keyword> (<keyword id="41281" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDA">NDA</keyword>) ⁠— and the state’s incumbent Chief Minister ⁠— is well past that mark, leaving behind the <keyword id="83449" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="United-Progressive-Alliance">United Progressive Alliance</keyword> (UPA) led by the <keyword id="190679" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-National-Congress">Indian National Congress</keyword>. As of 10:30 PM, the Election Commission showed leads and wins in 78 constituences for the NDA. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6em; box-shadow: none; width: 468pt; font-family: Merriweather; table-layout: fixed; padding-bottom: 10px !important; background-image: inherit !important; background-position: inherit !important; background-size: inherit !important; background-repeat: inherit !important; background-attachment: inherit !important; background-origin: inherit !important; background-clip: inherit !important;"></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Coalition </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Seats in 2016 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Seats in 2021 (Leads/Wins) </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Gain/Loss </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">NDA </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">86 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">78</td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">-14</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">UPA </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">26</td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">48</td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">+22</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Others </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">13 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">-</td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">- </td></tr></tbody></table> The election in the politically volatile Assam was held in three phases between March 27 and April 6. The Citizenship Amendment Act, which became a national controversy over a year ago, is one of the biggest election issues there. However, the state looks at the Act differently than most other parts of the country. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6em; box-shadow: none; width: 468pt; font-family: Merriweather; table-layout: fixed; padding-bottom: 10px !important; background-image: inherit !important; background-position: inherit !important; background-size: inherit !important; background-repeat: inherit !important; background-attachment: inherit !important; background-origin: inherit !important; background-clip: inherit !important;"></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Party </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Vote share in 2016 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Vote share in 2019 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Vote share in 2021 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">NDA </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">41.9% </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">36.5% </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Over 40%</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">UPA </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">31% </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">35.4% </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Over 38%</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Others </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">13% </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">7.8% </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">About 20%</td></tr></tbody></table> The history of resistance to ‘outsiders’ (irrespective of their religion) by the people who consider themselves as native Assamese is decades long. So BJP’s detractors in rest of India got angry with the party for trying to discriminate against Muslims, the people of Assam got angry with the party for trying to accommodate Hindus. The issue is a lot more ethnic and a lot less religious in Assam. While the exit polls are giving the NDA the lead, Chief Minister Sarma fought the election aggressively. Sometimes, even at the expense of ignoring a pandemic that was taking lives. With his refusal to wear a mask made an abominable offence of setting the wrong example for millions of his supporters. Today’s result show whether the Congress⁠ — with its alliance of ten parties including All India United Democratic Front (AIDUF) and the Bodoland People's Front (BDF) ⁠— was able to convert these setbacks into votes and seats. However, it wasn't good enough to cross the halfway mark.. There was a third contender called United Regional Front, where parties like Lurinjyoti Gogoi's Assam Jatiya Parishad and Akhil Gogoi's Raijor Dal have come together, were looking to chip away votes from the two leading coalitions. But the BJP and Sarma have held their sway in the North Eastern state one more time. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/mk-stalin-and-dmk-expect-to-win-tamil-nadu-assembly-election-2021-against-aiadmk-led-by-edappadi-palaniswami/articleshow/82347573.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">MK Stalin and DMK expect majority in Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2021 after staying out of power for 10 straight years</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/mamata-banerjees-fate-in-west-bengal-assembly-election-results-2021-as-tmc-and-bjp-final-tally/articleshow/82347504.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Mamata Banerjee’s fate in West Bengal Assembly election 2021 will be sealed today</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/ldf-vs-udf-final-result-kerala-assembly-election-2021/articleshow/82347653.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">As Pinarayi Vijayan looks at a historic comeback while Kerala’s BJP cadre can only hope for a higher vote share</a>

Assam looks set to give Himanta Biswa Sarma a second term as Chief Minister

<ul><li>Indian government is pushing to amend the Citizenship bill 2016. </li><li>New bill will allow illegal immigrants from specific religions to become citizens. </li><li>Assam is witnessing continuous protests as the bill enters Rajya Sabha for debate.</li></ul>India’s Narendra Modi government is <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/top-bureaucrats-in-assam-concede-situation-is-challenging/story-lAEMW9tS4HdJ7ZkPdHsTuN.html">pushing for a bill</a> which will make illegal migrants from six religions and three countries — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan — eligible for Indian citizenship. Even allies like <keyword id="195349" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Conrad-Sangma">Conrad Sangma</keyword>, the chief minister of Meghalaya whose party is part of the National Democratic Alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has opposed the amendments. Representatives of 11 political parties met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday to lodge their protest. Even the Manipur-based filmmaker and music composer Aribam Syam Sharma has decided to return his 2006 Padma Shri award in protest. 
 <div type="image" title="2a0ccca39f94fed61e852179945319e5" msid="67832687" hostid="261"></div>



Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a BJP rally in Silchar, Assam on Jan 4, 2019. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed in lower house of the Parliament, Lok Sabha, on 8 January, 2019. However, the upper house of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, will debate this bill in its ongoing session. Ahead of the debate, protests have broken out in the north eastern state of Assam, where citizens alleged that the new bill violates the Assam Accord, 1985 — which led to deportation of illegal immigrants in the state regardless of their religion. Last week families of around 855 martyrs of the anti-foreigners Assam Agitation of 1979-1985 returned the citation that the government had given them in 2016. Unrest over the issue has sparked violent protests in state for over a month now, and Assam police has reportedly grounded over 15 people. On Friday, two people<a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/3-stage-nude-protest-outside-assam-secretariat-over-citizenship-bill-1986978"> stripped down </a>while a third person was found naked outside the Assam Secretariat in Guwahati, Assam. 
 <div type="image" title="0e51d9c25e9e204c8056e4b85962147e" msid="67832701" hostid="261"></div>



 Three men stage a nude protest near the Assam Secretariat in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Guwahati on Feb 1, 2019. The protesters were swiftly removed by security personnel. “India is a democracy, though people have the right to voice their ideas and demands, such actions are not appreciated in society,” <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-admits-protests-over-citizenship-bill-a-challenge-calls-for-calm-1987411">said</a> Assam Chief Secretary Alok Kumar. The Bill makes illegal immigrants eligible for citizenship on the basis of religion. This may violate Article 14 of the Constitution which guarantees right to equality, according to public policy research organisation PRS. This includes amendments to permit cancellations of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) — which permits foreign citizens of Indian origin to stay and work in India. “This is a wide ground that may cover a range of violations, including minor offences (eg. parking in a no parking zone),” PRS said. Violence in other parts of the country Not just Assam, the bill faced protests from around the world — students from different universities in Assam gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi going against the central government holding placards that said ‘No to Citizenship Amendment Bill’, ‘Down with Citizenship Amendment Bill’ seeking the government to rollback the amendments. 
 <div type="image" title="adb60e5a1820b70ac8d412858c75a9ca" msid="67832702" hostid="261"></div>



Activists of All Assam Students Union (AASU) block National Highway 37 as they stage a demonstration against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, in Guwahati on Jan 29, 2019. The growing unrest will be a challenge for the BJP ahead of Lok Sabha polls. The party has recently emerged as a political alternative in north east India. The party has managed to form the government in three out of the seven states in the region in recent years. However, the ongoing agitations may polarise the voters ahead of the next pan-India elections, and divide the votes. Defending the amendments proposed in the bill, BJP President Amit Shah <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/citizenship-bill-necessary-says-amit-shah/article26168945.ece">reportedly said</a> that “There are some decisions that are acceptable to some, not acceptable to others. The BJP has thought deeply about the Citizenship Amendment Bill before bringing it. We cannot leave a large swathe of people fleeing persecution hanging in mid-air. We believe that the Bill is necessary for the country,” he said.

India’s Citizenship Bill is faced with growing protests

142 million voters go to polls today in 20 states—  here’s a look at the key issues in every state

BJP's <keyword id="239882" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Annamalai">Annamalai</keyword>, a former IAS officer, loses to DMK's R Elango in Aravakurichi by 24816 votes Before plunging into elections for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Annamalai has projected quite a few of his avatars in social media. Relinquishing his renowned career as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Annamalai showed his interest in renewing traditional agriculture in the state. He is the founder of the social movement ‘We The Leaders,’ which originated from Aravakurichi, in Karur district of Tamil Nadu. Annamalai in the election scene Totally in alignment to his wishes, BJP fielded him in Aravakurichi for the 2021 Tamil Nadu state assembly elections. Annamalai faced a strategic competition in the seat with a list of powerful candidates lined up against him. Fighting against him were names like Elango R fielded by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Mohammed Haneef Shahil representing the Makkal Needhi Maiam(MNM), and Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam’s (AMMK) candidate PSN Thangavel. However, political experts say that the real competition in this seat is only between Annamalai and DMK’s Elango. DMK appears confident of benefiting from the votes of Muslims and the scheduled castes who make up a sizeable chunk of the constituency’s population. After the BJP successfully wooed Annamalai to represent the party in this constituency, he has been actively engaged in a war of words with the DMK leaders. Annamalai and Aravakurichi Long before stepping into politics, Annamalai has done a lot of ground work in the Aravakurichi constituency. There had also been talks that Annamalai could be the most preferred candidate for the party if Tamil superstar Rajinikanth would start his political party, which never happened. To get popular among the voters in the constituency, Annamalai has been organising a number of programmes, events and competitions in the constituency like rangoli contests and marathons. After joining the BJP, his popularity has surged even more with the locals. In the 2016 assembly elections, the polling was withheld in this constituency on complaints that the political parties heavily bribed the voters. In the election conducted subsequent to this, Senthil Balaji of AIADMK won from here. During the political feuds that took place in the AIADMK after former Chief Minister J.Jayalalitha’s demise, Senthil Balaji was disqualified as an MLA as he took sides with TTV Dhinakaran of the AMMK. Later on, he joined the DMK and faced the by-election in 2019 on behalf of the DMK, bagging a huge victory. This time, Annamalai is banking on the Modi wave ensuing from his BJP candidature and the reputation of AIADMK among the voters of this constituency. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/top-leading-candidates-from-key-constituencies-in-assam-assembly-election-result-2021/articleshow/82352859.cms">Top leading candidates from key constituencies in Assam Assembly election result 2021</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/in-tamil-nadu-ops-o-panneerselvam-aiadmk-confronts-the-toughest-battle-of-his-political-career/articleshow/82352774.cms">In Tamil Nadu, OPS confronts the toughest battle of his political career</a>

BJP's Annamalai, a former IAS officer, loses to DMK's R Elango in Aravakurichi

Two years ago, on May 26, the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=BJP&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Bharatiya Janata Party</a> (<keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword>) stormed to power in New Delhi after a landslide victory in the 2014 general elections, trumping <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=congress&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Congress</a> to its worst ever defeat. 
 
The Modi-wave, back then, worked in favour of the saffron party, which also played-up the development plank and won the trust of majority of the 1.2 billion Indian population. 
 
Cut to 2016, the BJP, which suffered few blows in state and civic polls and a momentous win in Assam, is celebrating two years in office, and also preparing itself for next three years. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=prime+minister+narendra+modi&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>, in these two years, took steps to transform India into a manufacturing hub with his ‘<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=make+in+india&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Make in India</a>’ scheme, shook up a cleanliness drive with ‘<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=swachh+bharat+abhiyan&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Swachh</a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=swachh+bharat+abhiyan&amp;sortorder=effectivedate"> Bharat </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=swachh+bharat+abhiyan&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Abhiyan</a>’ and promoted yoga that is now being celebrated as ‘<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=international+yoga+day&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">International Yoga Day</a>’ on June 21. 
 
He was also mocked at various instances for several foot-in-the-mouth comments from his ministers, his Kerala-Somalia comments, rigged history, suit-boot ki sarkar, etc. 
 
Modi is also often attacked for his foreign trips. A man who was denied a visa to the US owing to Gujarat riots, has now visited the country thrice in two years and is now scheduled for a fourth trip soon. 
 
Apart from meeting global leaders, Modi, who sports a French beard and is famous for his Khadi kurtas, also befriended <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=global+ceos&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">global CEOs</a>, assuring them of ease of doing business in India and cutting red tapism. 
 During these two years, Modi met many global CEOs, who are now eying India and are setting up offices. <keyword id="6354427" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple">Apple</keyword> looks India as a bright spot and even Google and <keyword id="10387" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Microsoft">Microsoft</keyword> are increasing their number of offices in the country, which is pegged to be one of the fastest growing economies of the world. 
 
Here is a list of the top 10 global CEOs whom Modi met over the last two years and gave them all reasons to come and invest in India. 
 
(Images: Indiatimes, PIB)

These are the 10 global CEOs Modi befriended in last two years

The crushing defeat of NDA is likely to moderate the pace of economic reforms and there is even a possibility that the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax bill (GST) could face a setback, something that the <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> government has been keen in pushing in the Parliament. 
 
"A victory for the Grand Alliance is only going to increase the resistance to legislative business in Parliament," said a senior official in the finance ministry, who did not wish to be identified. 
 Notably, officials in the finance ministry were awaiting the verdict of the Bihar assembly polls to get a sense of how fast the Narendra Modi government can push the <keyword id="387846" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="GST-Bill">GST bill</keyword> in Parliament. 
 The government lacks a majority in the Rajya Sabha, and may find it extremely difficult to push through legislative changes with an emboldened opposition. The government's plan to gain the numbers advantage in the Rajya Sabha through victories in state elections has also suffered a setback and is likely to hurt legislation. While the government has said it will press ahead with reforms, the <keyword id="483288" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bihar-election-results">Bihar election results</keyword> add an element of doubt, experts say. 
 
"Indian financial markets were cautious ahead of the election results, and a result against the BJP should lead to market weakness. We feel that today's results — the BJP's big defeat — could be a material sentiment dampener in Monday's early trade as this might be perceived as an additional stumbling block to the central government's reform agenda," said Sidhartha Sanyal and Rahul Bajoria, economists at Barclays Bank. 
 
Finance minister Arun Jaitley had hoped to roll out GST by April 1, 2016 but that looks difficult to achieve, considering the government still has a lot of ground to cover to push the most ambitious indirect tax reform since Independence. With assembly elections due in Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, the road ahead may be rocky. Similarly, the pace and direction of labour reforms could also face roadblocks. 
 
The winter session of Parliament, which was expected to see progress on GST, may be stormy as the opposition is likely to step up its attack on the government on various issues. The NDA government has taken several steps to boost sentiment and growth but an overwhelming view has been that the speed of economic reforms has not kept pace with the need of the economy. Economists said the government should focus on the farm sector and address rural distress. "The focus should shift away from foreign tours, FDI and bullet trains to what are happening in the farms and rural space," said Ashok Gulati, Infosys chair professor at ICRIER, an economics think tank. 
 
(Image credit: BCCL)

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