The campaigning for the 65 assembly constituencies in Assam, which goes to polls in the first phase on April 3 to decide the fate of 545 candidates, ended Saturday.

The campaign for the elections began on a low key as all parties were caught unawares with the announcement of the poll dates, which they thought would be after the spring festival of Bihu.

Later, however, it gathered momentum and there was a virtual blitzkrieg of national political leaders, film and television stars who descended on Assam to campaign for candidates of various parties.

Last minute campaigning was on full-swing Saturday with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] addressing two rallies while other parties were engaged in holding election meetings and going door-to-door in their constituencies to canvas for votes.

In a clear departure from earlier elections, campaigning was marked this time by lack of violence though 300 additonal companies of central forces have already arrived and deployed near the polling booths for both phases of polls.