A Quiet Political Revolution is Underway in Assam?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Assam rally (Modi on X)
With Himanta Biswa Sarma at the helm, Assam’s BJP navigates incumbency fatigue while Congress eyes a historic comeback in 2026 elections.
By NIRENDRA DEV
Guwahati, January 18, 2026 — Assam’s political landscape is dynamic, divided, and high-stakes. While the BJP remains the dominant force since 2016, the Congress appears poised for a potential resurgence in 2026. Regional parties like the AGP and AIUDF, once key players, are now largely marginalized.
Yet electoral power is tested at the ballot box. In Upper Assam—rich in tea, oil, and coal—joblessness, water crises, and lack of industrial growth challenge BJP’s developmental narrative. Margherita’s coal industry has shrunk amid mine closures and alleged illegal operations; Doom Dooma’s historic Assam Tea Company struggles under mismanagement; and Digboi’s oil town still grapples with basic infrastructure failures, including a ₹41.68 crore drinking water project that remains non-functional.
Local residents, like businessman Panna Lal Gupto, stress the urgent need for alternative jobs and health facilities. The BJP knows these pockets could turn politically restive, despite the “Double Engine” governance narrative.
Congress is leveraging these gaps. Gaurav Gogoi’s 2024 Jorhat victory sent ripples across Upper Assam, showing the Congress is no longer a pushover. Minority outreach and constituency work have strengthened its prospects. Congress leader Rajesh Sethi notes, “Our win across diverse segments reflects Gaurav Gogoi’s arrival as a force in Assam politics.”
Himanta Biswa Sarma, however, remains politically agile. Announcements like Dibrugarh as a second capital signal electoral strategy and symbolic messaging ahead of 2026. Meanwhile, controversies involving Congress leaders’ overseas links are being highlighted to shift public perception.
Lower Assam elections are expected to focus on development and incumbency, while Upper Assam’s economic grievances—from industrial stagnation to joblessness—remain central to voter sentiment. The AIUDF may attempt to aid Congress, but miscalculations could benefit the BJP-NDA alliance.
The Modi factor remains significant. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s repeated visits, speeches on immigration policy, and positioning as a brand ambassador for the Northeast continue to reinforce BJP’s narrative. Yet ten-year incumbency and regional disparities create openings for Congress to capitalize on.
Elections in Assam, like the rest of India, hinge on the will and vigilance of the people. In 2026, voters will once again hold the ultimate power, pressing the button according to conscience, not narrative.
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