Guwahati: With just hours to go before the counting of votes, this Sunday unfolded as one of quiet faith and political anticipation, with many candidates turning to the divine, seeking blessings ahead of the verdict.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who remained busy in the campaign for BJP candidates in West Bengal after the conclusion of the polls in Assam, visited several temples, including the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri in Odisha on Apr 30, Siddheshwari Kalibari in Ambika Kalna in West Bengal and Shree Salasar Balaji Dham in Rajasthan on Apr 27. He has repeatedly claimed to the media that the NDA will once again form the govt in Assam during this period.On Sunday, a few residents of North Guwahati, which falls under Sarma’s home constituency — Jalukbari — organised a Chandi Yagnya at the Dirgheswari Mandir for to pray for Sarma. “The yagnya was organised seeking blessings for the bright future of the CM and seeking him as CM for another term,” Babul Chetry, a resident, said.Chetry added that the yagnya was performed by him and his friend Basanta Kumar Kakoty. “Even the CM does not have any knowledge about this yagnya which we organised for him,” he added.The Dirgheswari Mandir is a brick temple built by Ahom king Swargadeo Siva Singha. It is considered a Shakta pitha.Meanwhile, Congress’ Assam president and deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi and party candidate Shantanu Borah, who contested in the Jorhat and New Guwahati constituencies respectively, offered prayers at the Bagala temple, a revered centre of tantrism nestled barely 500 metres from the Kamakhya shrine.The Bagala temple, located about 500 meters east of Kamakhya on Nilachal Hills, is one of the ten Das Mahavidya shrines dedicated to Goddess Bagalamukhi.Jyoti Kumar Sarma, priest and the president of the temple, said prayer at the Bagala temple is one of the most sought-after rituals among political leaders during elections. He added that the main purpose of the puja is to avoid political hurdles and emerge victorious in elections.On the other hand, BJP leader Ashok Singhal, who is seeking a third consecutive term from Dhekijauli constituency, performed puja at the Hindu Vedic Kshetra at Panbari in his home assembly constituency — Dhekiajuli.Singhal believes that everyone knows what the results would be. “Therefore, I am not worried. Fates of the candidates were locked in the EVMs on April 9,” he added.Meanwhile, BJP candidates from Lakhimpur constituency, Manab Deka, and Doom Dooma constituency, Rupesh Gowala, on Sunday offered prayers at the Sri Sri Basudev Than and Sri Sri Padummoni Aai Than in Lakhimpur. Their family members accompanied them.Beeline at temples, including the Kamakhya temple, was also seen before the polling on Apr 9.
