Jorhat (Assam), April 9 State Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi cast his vote for the Assembly elections on Thursday and asserted that a "strong, fearless, confident, and new Assam" will emerge after the elections.
Speaking to reporters after exercising his franchise along with his mother Dolly Gogoi at DCB LP School in Jorhat, he said the new government in the state will protect the democratic rights and freedom of expression of all people.
"Today is an important day for Assam. People are going to play a decisive role in the future of Assam," the Congress leader said.
"A strong, fearless, confident, and new Assam will emerge after the results are declared. It will protect the democratic rights and freedom of expression of people," he added.
Earlier in the day, he appealed to voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their Constitutional rights to secure their future.
Polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies began at 7 am to decide the electoral fate of 722 candidates.
In the high-stakes election, the ruling BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Congress seeks to wrest power after being ousted in 2016.
"Today, in the interest of building a new Assam, in the interest of securing our present and future, it is essential that we vote with our conscience. I wish everyone who came out to vote for the first time all the best. Jai Aai Assam," Gogoi wrote in Assamese in a Facebook post.
The Deputy Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha is contesting from the Jorhat constituency in Upper Assam. He is in a direct fight against former Assembly Speaker and BJP leader Hitendra Nath Goswami.
Gaurav's mother Dolly Gogoi, wife of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, said: "I used to come with my husband in this same booth all my life. This is a different feeling this time."
She said she had come to bless her son and expressed hope that he would win with the support of the people of Jorhat.
Gogoi, a three-time MP from Jorhat, said, “During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, my mother could not vote as she was unwell and in Delhi. This time, I have come and cast my vote with her. Earlier, I used to accompany my father."