New Delhi : If Goa’s Christians are upset over the Lok Sabha poll on April 17 in the state coinciding with Maundy Thursday, a day of obligation during the Holy Week, parties in Assam are upset over two of the three poll dates in the state on April 7 and 12 clash with Ashokasthami and Rongali Bihu.
While Goa Electoral Officer Keshav Chandra has already approached the EC on clash of the poll date with the Catholics’ religious observance, Assam’s CEO wriggled out saying it is for those having reservations on the poll dates can directly approach the Election Commission. While Rongali Bihu is the main festival of Assamese like the Carnival in Goa, Ashokasthami on April 7 is very auspicious day for Hindus as people take a holy dip in the Brahmaputra, hold “shraddh” ceremonies and perform “asthi visarjan” (dispersal of ashes collected after cremation).
Political parties in Assam, barring the ruling Congress, have called for change of the poll dates lest there is a low voter turnout as most of the people will be busy with the two events and they would be in the festive mood.
