GUWAHATI, May 5 -- Bharatiya Janata Party secured a decisive victory in Assam helping the party record its best electoral performance in the northeastern states by winning and leading 82 of the total 126 seats enabling the party to retain power for a third consecutive term. The saffron party had first come to power in Assam in 2016, ending a 15-year Congress rule. In the past two assembly elections, BJP had secured 60 seats (both in 2016 and 2021), which was four less than the figure needed for majority, and had formed governments with support of its regional allies from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). "This is a historic win because of the kind of majority that we are heading towards. I offer my sincerest thanks to the people of Assam on behalf of BJP and our allies and assure that the promises we have made to you will be fulfilled," chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated in Guwahati while addressing media persons. He stated that the process of formation of the next government will happen as per due process with the present one resigning and a new leader of the legislative party elected. "Our state president will discuss the formalities with the party high command following which we will stake claim to form the next government and decide on a date for swearing in," said Sarma. At 6 pm, the BJP had recorded wins in 51 seats of the 90 it contested and was leading in 31 seats. Its allies, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) were winning and leading in 10 seats each, taking the combined tally to 102 seats. The BJP on its own secured nearly 40% of the total votes while Congress cornered 29%. "The results were on expected lines and we had hoped to secure over 90 seats. This time BJP has been able to secure absolute majority on its own, but we will continue to remain with our NDA allies like in the past," said BJP state president, Dilip Saikia. "The outcome is a mixture of the several factors including the policies of the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the able leadership of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the state and the various development projects and measures taken to secure the rights of the indigenous population," he added. The Congress, which had contested this election as an unified opposition of six parties, managed to secure leads and wins in 19 seats, which is 10 less than the 29 seats the party won in 2021. Only one of its ally, Raijor Dal bagged two seats, taking their combined tally to 21 seats. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who retained the Jalukbari seat for the sixth consecutive term (thrice as a Congress candidate and the same number of times on BJP ticket). Other prominent winners from BJP included ministers Pijush Hazarika (Jagiroad), Ranoj Pegu (Dhemaji), Chandra Mohan Patowary (Tihu), Ranjeet Kumar Dass (Bhawanipur-Sorbhog), Ajanta Neog (Golaghat), Jayanta Malla Baruah (Nalbari) and Bimal Borah (Tingkhong). Congress turncoats, former state unit chief Bhupen Kumar Borah and Pradyut Bordoloi, who joined the BJP just days ahead of the election also secured wins in Bihpuria and Dispur respectively....