Assam: BTC poll campaigns turn subdued amid mourning for Zubeen Garg

Udalguri: The run-up to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls has taken an unusually quiet turn this year, as the sudden death of Assam’s cultural icon and beloved singer Zubeen Garg cast a pall over the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

The Election Commission has scheduled voting for September 22, but political parties significantly slowed their campaign activity in the final stretch.

Soon after news of Garg’s demise broke, most political parties in the BTR suspended rallies and events on Saturday, effectively ending their campaigns a day earlier than the Election Commission’s official cut-off.

Traditionally, BTC elections witness vibrant motorcades, packed roadshows, and music-filled programmes right up to the deadline. This year, that energy is visibly missing.

Major parties, including the BJP, UPPL, and BPF, cancelled their scheduled events as a mark of respect. Party workers across the region acknowledged a clear drop in enthusiasm among cadres and supporters.

“Zubeen da’s passing has cast a shadow everywhere. People are mourning, and that sentiment has inevitably affected the campaign,” said a teacher on election duty at Hattigarh Tea Estate in Udalguri.

Young voters, typically enthusiastic ahead of polling day, appear unusually subdued. Leaders from all major parties have toned down their rhetoric, avoiding confrontation and instead organizing condolence gatherings in Tangla, Khoirabari, Kalaigaon, Dimakuchi, Bhergaon, Udalguri, Mazbat, and Orang to pay tribute to the late singer.

“We’ll vote more out of duty than excitement this time. Everyone is grieving the loss of an artiste whose music resonated across communities,” said Diganta Brahma, a voter from Tangla.

Observers believe Garg’s deep emotional bond with the public has directly influenced the subdued election atmosphere.

“For the first time in years, politics seems secondary. People across caste, community, and religion are united in grief. The spontaneous shutdown in Tangla, even on the second day, shows the depth of this collective sorrow,” said Zakir Hussain, a Tangla-based businessman and political commentator.

With polling scheduled for September 22, the big question now is whether this atmosphere of mourning will impact voter turnout across the region.