The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 19, 2026, released its first list of 88 candidates for the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly elections, marking a major reshuffle ahead of the polls. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will contest again from Jalukbari, aiming for a sixth consecutive victory. Several experienced incumbents have retained their seats, but the party has also dropped 19 sitting MLAs, making way for fresh faces and new strategies in key constituencies.
A major highlight of the list is the inclusion of former Congress leaders who recently switched sides. Pradyut Bordoloi, a two-time Lok Sabha MP and former Congress veteran, joined the BJP just days before the list was announced and was immediately given the Dispur constituency ticket. Overall, 19 Congress defectors and more than 30 other leaders who switched parties have been included, signaling BJP’s focus on strengthening its position by absorbing influential rivals.
Political analysts note that the move is both strategic and symbolic. By dropping some senior leaders, the BJP aims to inject new energy and appeal to younger voters while still maintaining a strong core of experienced representatives. The inclusion of defectors also reflects the party’s effort to consolidate anti-Congress votes and expand its footprint in areas traditionally dominated by opposition parties.
Allied parties have also announced their candidates. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has released 26 names, while the Indian National Congress has announced 22 candidates in its third list, as it tries to mount a challenge against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The Assam Assembly elections are scheduled for 2026, with a total of 126 seats at stake.
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