BJP to Conclude Alliance Seat Sharing in Assam by February 20
Guwahati: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared on Wednesday that the Bharatiya Janata Party will finalize seat-sharing arrangements with its alliance partners between February 15 and 20. This announcement comes as opposition unity in Assam faces significant uncertainty, with the Congress party yet to conclude crucial seat-sharing agreements among opposition factions.
BJP's Systematic Candidate Selection Process
Speaking to media representatives in Lakhimpur, CM Sarma elaborated on the BJP's meticulous approach to candidate selection. "The seat sharing among our alliance partners will be finalized between February 15 and 20, though the specific criteria for candidate prioritization cannot be disclosed at this moment," Sarma stated. He emphasized that the party conducts comprehensive surveys collecting feedback down to the booth level before the central parliamentary board makes final ticket decisions.
Sarma acknowledged that naming candidates proves simpler in constituencies with single aspirants but becomes considerably more challenging when multiple contenders enter the fray. The Chief Minister also highlighted the party's general policy regarding candidate selection, noting, "We typically avoid fielding candidates from outside a constituency's district unless absolutely necessary. Such practices are not common within the BJP, though exceptions do exist in special circumstances."
Opposition Alliance Faces Mounting Tensions
On the opposition front, seat-sharing tensions have escalated following Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi's Tuesday announcement setting a January 31 deadline for Congress to finalize the alliance and determine seat allocations. Adding to the pressure, the Communist Party of India declared on Wednesday that it would contest seven seats if Congress fails to respond promptly to their proposals.
An eight-party opposition alliance comprising Congress, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, Anchalik Gana Morcha, CPM, CPI, CPI(ML), and APHLC was formally established in November for the 2026 assembly elections. However, a concrete seat-sharing agreement remains pending as Congress focuses primarily on finalizing its own candidate list. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi recently indicated the party's priority is to field candidates in approximately 100 constituencies.
CPI Issues Ultimatum to Congress
CPI state secretary Kanak Gogoi expressed frustration with Congress's delayed response, stating the party seeks a "dignified seat-sharing arrangement" to collectively defeat the BJP. He revealed that Congress has not yet responded to a list of seven seats submitted by CPI earlier this month, which includes:
- Sivasagar
- Nazira
- Demow
- Titabor
- Morigaon
- Dhakuakhana
- Gauripur
Notably, Sivasagar and Nazira constituencies currently have Akhil Gogoi and Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia as sitting MLAs respectively. Kanak Gogoi confirmed that CPI has identified probable candidates for these seats and will finalize them soon.
The CPI leader issued a stern warning, stating, "We are dissatisfied with Congress's role in this alliance. If seat sharing is not finalized promptly, we will announce our candidates for all seven seats. For the remaining 119 constituencies, we will appeal to voters to support other opposition parties. The window for effective seat-sharing negotiations is rapidly closing." He indicated that CPI might reduce its seat demands but emphasized the party's readiness to proceed independently if ignored by Congress.
This political development highlights the contrasting organizational approaches between the ruling BJP alliance and the struggling opposition coalition as Assam prepares for upcoming electoral battles.
