SILCHAR, March 10 - With the Election Commission of India announcing the dates for the general elections to the 17th Lok Sabha on Sunday, political parties in the State and across the country have geared up for the battle for ballots.
As per the schedule announced, Assam will be going to polls in three phases on April 11, 18 and 23.
For the two Parliament seats � Silchar and Karimganj of Barak Valley, political parties including the BJP and its principal opponent the Congress is upbeat with expectations and enthusiasm.
In the words of Susmita Dev, the sitting Congress MP from Silchar, the election process must remain fair and should not succumb under any kind of pressure or influences. Asked what would be her approach towards the elections, Susmita said, �every election is a challenge. In 2014, people of India believed whatever the Prime Minister had said. However, this time there is no such possibility as I see it.�
On the other hand, former Union Minister and veteran BJP leader Kabindra Purakayastha is confident that people of the country will vote BJP to power and Narendra Modi will once again lead the nation towards progress and development. Interestingly, while the poll dates have been announced, the party is yet to name the face who would contest in the ensuing elections from the coveted Silchar seat. �The names of the candidate from the Silchar seat shall be announced in the next two days and we are constantly looking into the matter. We are confident of winning the seat,� he maintained.
