The ruling Congress emerged as the single largest party in Assam by winning 52 seats out of total 126 seats and is exuding confidence to form a coalition government in the state.

The regional AGP and the BJP put up a poor show by winning only 25 and 11 seats respectively. The newly-formed Assam United Democratic Front led by businessman-politician Mr Badaruddin Ajmal won 10 seats. The AUDF performance affected Congress at least 20 Assembly segments.The Congress had won 71 seats in the last Assembly election of 2001.

AICC general secretary, Digvijay Singh and chief minister Tarun Gogoi and state PCC chief Bhubaneswar Kalita on Thursday expressed their gratitude to the people of Assam for giving the mandate to form the next government.

The leader of the state Congress Legislature Party would be elected in the meeting of the party MLAs slated for 13 May next, Mr Singh informed media after the poll results were out. After many senior leaders from the anti-Gogoi camps within Congress losing election, the stage is almost set for Mr Gogoi to become the chief minister for second term.

After failing to win the magic figure of 64 seats in the election to the 12th Assembly in the state, the Congress now decided to bank on the support of its pre-election ally, Bodoland People's Progressive Front faction led by Hagrama Mohilary to form a two-party coalition government.

The BPPF(H) won 12 seats out of 19 seats it had contested in Bodo tribe dominated areas in the state. The BPPF(H) comprises of former militants of the now disbanded Bodo Liberation Tigers and it is now in the seat of power in Bodoland Autonomous District Council. The BPPF(H) too would select their legislature party leader on 13 May next at meeting in Kokrajhar in Western Assam.

It may be mentioned that the BPPF(H) leadership are more close to Mr Gogoi than any other Congress leaders in the state and it has brightened Mr Gogoi chance to retain the chief minister's job.

It was a very poor show for Asom Gana Parishad (Progressive) led by former chief minister Mr Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. Out of the 91 seats contested by the party, it could only one � Mr Mahanta retained Barhampur seat while he lost in Nagaon.

AGP president Mr Brindabon Goswami won in Tezpur but lost in Borcholla constituency.

Complete Coverage: The Five-State Fight