ECI likely to notify Assam polls by March 1st week: says PM Modi

GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hinted that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to notify Assam assembly elections by the first week of March.

The Assam polls are due for April-May.

Visiting the state for the third time within a month to lay foundation of two engineering colleges and inaugurate three petroleum processing units, Modi said: “I know you are waiting for the elections to further strengthen our hands in Assam. The ECI had notified the state elections the last time perhaps on March 4. I am expecting this time as well for the notification by the first week of March. But, I’ll try to visit Assam again before that.”

“I’ve also visited Assam many times to assess your progress. I’ll try to visit Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry as many times as possible before the elections are notified. During this period, my effort will be to try to come to you as many times as possible,” Modi added in a mammoth rally at Silapathar in Dhemaji district.

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All the five states will go to polls this year.

In a poll-oriented address, he also lauded the Assam government for taking the initiative to give land documents to the small tea growers.

“Those who ruled Assam for decades created an impression that Dispur is far away from Delhi because of their insincerity. Assam incurred huge losses due to this impression. But, Delhi is no longer far away. It’s at your threshold,” Modi said.