Assam assembly elections 2026: Full list of candidates as the state heads to high-stakes vote on April 9 | India News
New Delhi: High-voltage campaigning for the Assam assembly elections concluded on Tuesday, bringing two weeks of sharp political exchanges, aggressive rhetoric and a bond of promise.The contest is mainly between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Indian National Congress. The BJP’s campaign was dominated by the key plank of “Jati-Maati-Veti”, a strong pitch against Assamese identity, protection of land and culture, and alleged illegal encroachment. This narrative was so prominent that it overshadowed even the party’s promise of welfare.On the other hand, Congress has focused on campaigning targeting the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma and accused the BJP of pursuing divisive politics, framing the election as a fight against what it termed the “politics of hate”.This election is the first assembly election after the 2023 delimitation exercise, which redrawn electoral boundaries across all 126 constituencies. The changes have significantly altered the political landscape, particularly affecting Muslim voters of Bangladeshi origin, whose influence has now shrunk from 31 to 22 seats.The BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term in power, while the Congress is looking to reclaim the state after being voted out in 2016.
Candidates and parties in the field
A total of 722 candidates are contesting the elections, including several prominent leaders including Himanta Biswa Sharma, State Congress President Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of Opposition Debbrat Saikia, All India United Democratic Front chief Badruddin Ajmal, Raijore Dal leader Akhil Gogoi and Assam National Assembly President Lurinji Gogoi.Among the parties, Congress fielded the maximum number of candidates with 99, followed by BJP with 90. AIUDF is contesting 30 seats, while NDA allies Assam Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front are contesting 26 and 11 seats respectively.In the opposition bloc, Raijod Dal is contesting 13 seats, Assam National Assembly 10, Communist Party of India (Marxist) 3 and All Party Hill Leaders Conference 2 seats. Other parties in the fray include Aam Aadmi Party (18), United People’s Party Liberals (18), All India Trinamool Congress (22), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (16) with 258 independent candidates.
watch out for
Several constituencies have been earmarked for high-profile contests. In Jalukbari, Sarma is contesting for the sixth consecutive time against Congress candidate Vidisha Neog. In Jorhat, Gaurav Gogoi is trying to make his Assembly debut against BJP’s Hitendranath Goswami.AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is contesting from Binnakandi against AGP’s Shahabuddin Mazumdar and AJP’s Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.In Sibsagar, Akhil Gogoi is facing a three-cornered contest against BJP’s Jayant Hazarika and AGP’s Pradeep Hazarika. AJP’s Lurinjyoti Gogoi is in a direct fight with BJP’s Chakradhar Gogoi in Khwaeng.AGP president and minister Atul Bora is contesting three-way contest against Hari Prasad Saikia and former independent MLA Jiten Gogoi of Raijo’s party in Bokakha. Meanwhile, Minister Keshav Mahant is facing the candidate Pradip Kumar Barua of Raijod party in Kaliabore.Voting will be held from 7 am to 5 pm in 31 thousand 490 polling stations in 35 districts. Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel said webcasting facility has been introduced at all polling stations for real-time monitoring, while Central Armed Police Force along with CRPF personnel have been deployed to ensure security.A total of 2.50 crore voters are eligible to vote, of which 1.25 crore are women and 318 are third gender. Among the voters are 6.42 lakh first-time voters, 2.50 lakh voters aged 80 or above – including 2,466 centenarians – and 2.05 lakh persons with disabilities.With polling being held in a single phase on Thursday, the results will be declared on May 4, when it will be clear who will form the next government in Assam.
