Assam assembly election results: NDA leading in 72 seats, Congress in 21

GUWAHATI: BJP-led NDA is surging ahead of the ruling Congress in Assam, leading in 72 of the 126 constituencies at the end of three hours of counting of votes.

While BJP is leading in 45 seats, NDA allies AGP are leading in 17 and 10 constituencies respectively.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi of Congress, who is leading in 23 seats, is ahead in his Titabar seat over BJP's Kamakhya Prasad Tasa by 7659 votes.

BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate and union minister Sarbananda Sonowal is leading in Majuli (ST) by 9305 votes over his nearest Congress rival and sitting MLA Rajib Lochan Pegu, Election Office said.

The All India United Democratic Front lead by Badruddin Ajmal, who claims himself to be the 'king maker' in the event of a hung assembly, is ahead in 13 constituencies.

Ajmal is, however, trailing trailing behind Congress candidate Wajed Ali Choudhury in South Salmara seat by 2504 votes.

Independents are leading in seven constituencies and NCP in one.

Congress dissident leader and now BJP leader Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma is leading by 9458 votes over Niren Deka of Congress at Jalukbari.

Alotogether 1064 contestants particiapted in the two phase Assam Assembly elections on April 4 and 11 last with Congress putting up contestants in 122 constituencies, BJP in 89, its alliance partners AGP in 30 and BPF in 13, AIUDF in 74, besides those from CPI and CPM, CPI(ML)(L), unrecognised parties and Independents.