Assam elections: Opposition parties release candidate list, targets BJP-led NDA in high-stakes April showdown.
The battle for Assam’s political future has escalated as opposition parties finalised their candidate line-ups on Tuesday. With both the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) unveiling fresh rosters, a high-stakes contest against the ruling BJP-led NDA is officially underway.
AIUDF releases second batch of key contenders
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The AIUDF announced its second list of 12 candidates, signalling full mobilisation for the 9 April polls. Party chief Badruddin Ajmal will contest from Binnakandi, while Hafiz Bashir Ahmed is set for Goalpara East.
Strategically, the party has fielded Nazrul Hoque in Dhubri and Mazibur Rahman in Dalgaon. Other names confirmed include Ashraful Hussain (Chenga), Abdul Aziz (Samaguri), Shihab Uddin (Karimganj South), Imdad Hussain (Chamaria), Jamsher Talukdar (Golakganj), Musukha Basumatary (Bijni), Mukut Das (Raha), and Anup Kr. Das Talukdar (Ram Krishna Nagar).
All 126 constituencies will go to the polls in a single phase. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government is seeking a third consecutive term. It faces a tough challenge from the Congress-led “grand alliance,” which in 2021, including AIUDF, BPF and the communists, secured 16 seats.
AJP trims ambitions for alliance unity
Meanwhile, the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) released its first list of eight candidates. Party president Lurinjoyti Gogoi will contest from Khowang, with working president and former Union minister Rajen Gohain entering the fray from Barhampur.
The party had initially sought 28 seats but agreed to contest only 10 to strengthen opposition unity. “We had sought 28 seats to contest, but have agreed to 10 seats for the sake of the alliance,” Gogoi said, adding that talks are ongoing for a few remaining constituencies where AJP maintains a strong presence.
The first batch also includes Bani Das (Morigaon), Pankaj Lochan Goswami (Palasbari), Jibon Chutia (Sarupathar), Dilip Baruah (Bajali), Rejaul Karim Choudhury (Bindakandi), and Mounak Patra (Dibrugarh). Candidates for Guwahati Central and Sadiya are expected to be announced shortly.
Opposition raises concerns over election schedule
Criticism of the Election Commission’s timing marked Tuesday’s developments. Gogoi alleged that the single-phase polling and a condensed 13-day campaigning window favoured “a specific political group.”
He linked the hurried schedule to local sentiment, noting the government appeared keen to conclude voting before Bohag Bihu and sidestep the fallout of the Zubeen Garg death case. The singer died in Singapore last year; while Assam authorities alleged murder, Singaporean officials attributed it to accidental drowning due to intoxication.
“Through its short election notice, it is clear that the EC is working for the benefit of a specific section,” Gogoi said. AJP General Secretary Jagdish Bhuyan also cited logistical challenges, warning that limited resources make the campaign difficult. Bhuyan, a contender for Sadiya, admitted he may shift focus to broader election coordination.
Voter turnout is expected to remain robust, following 86.2 per cent participation in 2021. The opposition hopes that a consolidated effort can overturn the NDA’s 75-seat majority. Votes will be counted on 4 May.
Published: 17 Mar 2026, 09:59 pm IST
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