Despite the Opposition fielding a common candidate — Congress's Bora — the days leading up to voting had witnessed the Congress and the AIUDF levelling allegations of cross-voting against each other.

While this high drama delayed the results, it was evident by early Thursday afternoon that the Opposition was on the back foot: While South Karimganj MLA Siddique Ahmed’s vote was canceled for writing ‘ONE’ instead of numeric 1, Raha MLA Shashi Kanta Das, extended support to the BJP.

The former was suspended from the party. A press statement from the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) said that Siddique had "intentionally" violated the direction of Wajed Ali Choudhury, the chief whip of the party. “This has been confirmed based on finding of AICC Secretary, co-incharge of APCC, Mr. Prithviraj Prabhakar Sathe as well as the designated observer of Congress candidate Mr Ripun Bora RS election. In view of this violation, as a strict disciplinary action, Mr. Siddique Ahmed has been suspended from primary membership of the party with immediate effect” said the statement.

BJP MLA Pijush Hazarika Thursday said that the developments reflected the “lack on unity” among the Opposition.

In the 126-member Assam Assembly, the BJP has 63 MLAs, while its coalition partners AGP and UPPL have 9 and 7, respectively. In the Opposition are 27 MLAs from the Congress, 15 from AIUDF and one each from the CPI (M) and the regional Raijor Dal.

(With inputs from agencies)