Assam: BJP, AIUDF, & Congress to spend Rs. 10 cr on choppers in Phase-I of polling

GUWAHATI: Amid the final stages of the campaigning for the first phase of polling in Assam, the political parties of the state are expected to spend a mind-boggling amount of Rs. 10 crore on helicopter rides for ferrying election hopefuls within 20 days, sources said.

Yes, you read right, political superpowers Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and the Congress have earmarked around Rs. 10 crore exclusive for the purpose of ferrying the election hopefuls even as hot debates surround the 'seat-sharing' between allies.

"While the BJP has commissioned 5 choppers for the purpose, the Congress has commissioned 4, and the AIUDF has hired a single chopper. The notification for the first phase of Assam assembly elections to be held on March 27 was issued on Tuesday, setting in motion the process of filing nomination papers by candidates. The per-hour hiring charges of these choppers is Rs 1 lakh," a source told Inside NE.

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However, there was no report of filing of nominations on the first day, according to the Assam election department.

The first phase covers 47 constituencies spread across 11 districts.

The last date for submission of nomination papers by candidates is March 9 while scrutiny of the documents will be done the next day. The last date for withdrawal of candidature in this phase has been fixed at March 12.

Elections to the northeastern state will be conducted in three phases – on March 27, April 1 and April 6. Votes will be counted on May 2.