Polling is underway across all 126 constituencies in a high-stakes political battle in Assam. The ruling BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term in office, while the Congress seeks to wrest power after being ousted in 2016.
The 2026 polls serve as the ultimate litmus test for Gaurav Gogoi’s leadership. Whether Gogoi’s strategic pivot—centering on local identity and economic guarantees—can successfully dismantle the BJP’s decade-long dominance in Assam remains the election’s most compelling question.
Similar to the successful campaign models in Karnataka and Telangana, the Congress party has pivoted to a 'Guarantee' model, promising direct cash transfers to women and a hike in the daily wages of tea garden workers.
The tea tribes have traditionally been the kingmakers in Upper Assam. To woo them, the Congress has aggressively campaigned on the demand for ST status for six ethnic groups and a significant increase in the daily wage to ₹350–400.
On the other hand, the BJP has focused on infrastructure in the "Tea Belts" and the distribution of land pattas. If the Congress can swing even 15-20 per cent of this vote back to their fold, the BJP's majority in Upper Assam could crumble.
Unlike 2021, when the alliance with the AIUDF (led by Badruddin Ajmal) was seen as a double-edged sword that alienated ethnic Assamese voters, the 2026 strategy has been more nuanced.
Congress has attempted to project a more "Assam-centric" identity to appeal to the Jatiya (nationalist) sentiment, focusing on the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and the protection of the "Khilonjia" (indigenous) identity.
However, if this distancing leads to a split in the minority vote between Congress and AIUDF, the BJP could win several seats in Lower and Central Assam due to the division of anti-incumbency votes.
An electorate of 2.50 crore, including 1.25 crore women and 318 from the third gender, can exercise their franchise in 31,490 polling stations across the state.
Prominent candidates include Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi, assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, Leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi, and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi.
The Congress has the highest of 99 contestants, followed by the BJP (90), AIUDF (30), NDA allies AGP (26) and BPF (11).
Also read
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- 'You should investigate': Pawan Khera makes fresh allegations against Assam CM Himanta Sarma, wife Riniki a day before polls
- Congress plays Dalit card over Himanta Biswa Sarma’s attack on Kharge. Will it move the needle in poll-bound Assam?
Opposition alliance's Raijor Dal is contesting in 13, AJP in 10, CPI(M) in 3 and APHLC in 2. Outside the two coalitions, the AAP is contesting in 18 seats, UPPL in 18, TMC 22, JMM 16, and there are 258 independents.
The ruling NDA's main constituents are the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodo Peoples' Front (BPF), while the opposition alliance comprises the Congress, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), CPI(M), All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC) and CPI(ML).
The counting of votes is scheduled on May 4.
The Puducherry Assembly has a total of 30 elected seats. Additionally, three members are nominated by the central government.
