Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will reveal its list of candidates for the crucial 2026 state assembly elections in the first half of February. The announcement came during his media interactions in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) region on Tuesday, where he also addressed the complex alliance politics unfolding in the state.
Timeline and Alliance Dynamics in BTC
The candidate names are expected to be declared in the first or second week of February 2026, according to the Chief Minister. Speaking to reporters at Salbari, Sarma delved into the political intricacies within the BTC, a region that recently witnessed a decisive victory for the Hagrama Mohilary-led Bodoland People's Front (BPF) over the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), which is an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the state level.
Sarma expressed optimism about resolving existing differences, stating that the BJP, given its current organizational strength, should contest 5 to 6 seats in the BTC region even if it enters into an electoral alliance there. He clarified that while both BPF and UPPL are part of his government in Dispur, the situation in the BTC is distinct. "In Dispur, we are united, but in BTC, BPF and UPPL are not united," he noted, adding that the final scenario will depend on discussions, which have not yet commenced.
Election Schedule and Opposition Discord
Later, in Bajali, the Chief Minister indicated that the election notification is likely to be issued around the same time as in the 2021 polls. The last election was announced on February 27, 2021. This time, he suggested, it could be on February 25 or February 29, 2026, with roughly 57-58 days remaining for the formal declaration.
On the alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Sarma stated that seat-sharing should not pose a significant problem as a formula exists. However, the opposition Indian National Congress appears to be facing internal strife. A fresh rift emerged after Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi declared that the Congress would contest 100 out of the 126 assembly seats.
This announcement drew sharp criticism from Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi, who expressed disappointment, accusing Gaurav Gogoi of going back on his own principle of not conducting alliance talks publicly.
Navigating the Coalition Calculus
The Chief Minister's comments underscore the delicate balancing act the BJP must perform in the run-up to the 2026 elections. Sarma highlighted the need for a cautious approach regarding the BTC allies. "We will have to see what UPPL's approach will be if we form an alliance with BPF. Similarly, we also need to look into BPF's approach if BJP forms an alliance with UPPL," he explained, emphasizing that good relations with both parties would continue.
This political maneuvering sets the stage for a highly competitive election in Assam. With the ruling coalition fine-tuning its strategy and the opposition grappling with unity, the announcements in February will be a critical milestone shaping the battle for the 126-seat assembly.
