ASSAM: Political Momentum Builds in Assam Ahead of 2026 Assembly Polls

Guwahati: As political activity picks up in Assam ahead of the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections, regional and national parties are intensifying their efforts to prepare for the upcoming electoral battle. The state will elect 126 members to the Assam Legislative Assembly, with the current term ending in May 2026.

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) President and Assam Cabinet Minister Atul Bora on Friday expressed confidence in the party’s readiness. Speaking at the extended central executive meetings of the Assam Mahila Parishad (AMP) and Assam Chhatra Parishad (ACP), Bora said, “The 2026 assembly elections are approaching, and all party workers are working hard. I am very happy to see their enthusiasm.” Meanwhile, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Aminul Islam announced that the party will contest 35 out of 126 seats in the upcoming elections and plans to go solo. However, Islam left the door open for a potential alliance with Congress, saying, “Right now, we are not thinking of any alliance. But if Congress proposes, we will definitely consider it. All opposition parties should unite to take on the BJP.”

In 2021, AIUDF was part of a grand alliance that included Congress, BPF, and Left parties. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing for a vigorous campaign, not only for the 2026 Assembly elections but also for the upcoming Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections, expected in September 2025.

Assam BJP's Chief Spokesperson Kishore Upadhyay highlighted the shift in the political climate of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), stating, “There was unrest in BTR before. But now, the atmosphere is peaceful and open for election participation. We are serious about the BTR elections, with a focus on peace, development, and self-governance.” As part of the preparations, the Assam State Election Commission released the draft voter list for 40 BTC constituencies on July 22, listing 26,69,396 voters, including 13,29,742 male, 13,39,637 female, and 17 others.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is scheduled to address rallies in Udalguri district on August 2, further signalling the onset of full-scale election campaigning across the state.