All of the major opposition leaders in Assam, including the leader of the opposition, were trailing in their respective constituencies on Monday as vote counting continued.
Congress leader Saikia was trailing by 4,967 votes in Sivasagar district's Nazira seat, while the BJP’s Mayur Borgoharin secured around 11,607 votes.
Akhil Gogoi, Raijor Dal president and MLA who contested from the Sibsagar tp retain his seat, trailed behind the BJP’s Kushal Dowari pulling just 3,262 votes against 5,171 votes.
Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi also trailed behind BJP rival Chakradhar Gogoi, bagging only 11,845 votes by the third round against 14,360.
AJP general secretary Jagadish Bhuyan is trailing behind BJP’s Boplin Chetia after the second round.
Rajen Gohain, who defected from the BJP and joined the AJP, is also trailing behind BJP’s MLA Jitu Goswami.
AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, who is contesting from Binnakandi in Hojai district, however, is an exception and is leading against AJP's Rejaul Karim Chowdhury after three rounds.
By noon, the BJP has been leading in about 97 seats out of 126 constituencies. The Congress meanwhile led in 26 seats with the AIUDF leading in 2 seats.
There are about 721 candidates who contested the elections.
The BJP has been in power in the state for two consecutive terms, and the party has been trying to retain its power for a third term.
If the party secures a majority, Himanta Biswa Sarma will serve his second term as chief minister in the state.