In July 2014, an ambitious Himanta Biswa Sarma — then a Congress heavyweight — resigned from his ministerial post in Assam after party leader Rahul Gandhi reportedly declined to make him chief minister, despite his claim of backing from 52 legislators. Feeling humiliated, he switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a year later along with a group of loyal MLAs. He assured the party’s leadership that he would “dedicate his energy to BJP’s Mission 84” and that his duty would be to ensure the Congress was routed.
Fast forward to 2026, and the BJP has achieved a historic hat-trick in Assam, winning the state assembly elections for the third consecutive time. This victory is widely seen as a personal triumph for Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has been the face of the BJP in the state since joining the party. Under his leadership, the BJP has not only retained power but has also expanded its base, decimating the Congress in the process.
The Journey from Congress to BJP
Himanta’s political journey is a tale of ambition and strategic maneuvering. After being denied the chief minister’s post by the Congress high command, he felt betrayed and sidelined. His switch to the BJP was a turning point in Assam politics. He brought with him a significant chunk of Congress MLAs, which weakened the grand old party considerably. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to build the BJP’s organization in Assam and has been instrumental in implementing the party’s agenda at the state level.
Election Strategy and Campaign
The 2026 Assam election campaign was dominated by Himanta’s aggressive style and focus on development and identity politics. The BJP’s strategy revolved around the chief minister’s popularity, welfare schemes, and a strong anti-Congress sentiment. Himanta crisscrossed the state, addressing rallies and promising continued progress. The Congress, on the other hand, struggled to mount a credible challenge, plagued by internal factionalism and a lack of a charismatic leader.
The results were emphatic. The BJP and its allies won a comfortable majority, while the Congress was reduced to a minor player. For Himanta, this victory is sweet revenge — a vindication of his decision to leave the Congress and a clear message that he has settled old scores. Political analysts note that Himanta has not only fulfilled his promise to rout the Congress but has also established himself as a dominant force in Assam politics.
Implications for Assam and Beyond
The BJP’s hat-trick in Assam is significant for the party’s national ambitions. It demonstrates the party’s ability to retain power in a diverse state and showcases the effectiveness of its governance model. For the Congress, the defeat is a severe blow, raising questions about its revival strategy in the Northeast. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s rise from a Congress rebel to a BJP stalwart is a story of political realignment that has reshaped Assam’s political landscape.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Himanta has indeed settled scores with the Congress, and his focus now is on leading Assam into a new era of development. Whether this will translate into a longer-term dominance for the BJP remains to be seen, but for now, the hat-trick is a testament to his political acumen and determination.
