GUWAHATI: The Congress party in Assam has suffered a significant setback, winning only 19 seats in the recent state elections, all of which are Muslim-majority constituencies. The defeat marks a sharp contraction in the party's electoral footprint, which now largely hinges on a narrow, predominantly Muslim base. Key party leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi and Debabrata Saikia—sons of former chief ministers Tarun Gogoi and Hiteswar Saikia, respectively—lost their family strongholds, underscoring the depth of the crisis.
Campaign Strategy Fails to Deliver
The Congress campaign was built on sharp attacks against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, including remarks about his family, and a pitch for justice for singer Zubeen Garg. However, these messages failed to resonate with voters beyond the Muslim community. Sarma's sustained branding of Congress as a 'Miya' party—a term referring to Bengali-speaking Muslims from Bangladesh—effectively limited the party's appeal among indigenous tribal and Hindu voters.
Delimitation Compounds Challenges
The 2023 delimitation exercise further weakened Congress's position by reducing the number of Muslim-majority seats from 35 to 22. Although Muslims constitute about 30% of Assam's electorate, roughly 75 lakh voters, their concentration in specific constituencies has isolated Congress politically. The party's inability to expand beyond these pockets was evident in its losses across upper and northern Assam.
Alliance Fails to Shift Momentum
A late six-party alliance with other regional forces failed to alter the electoral trajectory. The verdict leaves Congress with a stark reality: its road to recovery runs through constituencies it no longer commands. Inside the party, unease has surfaced. Gaurav Gogoi remained silent, while party leader Ripun Bora promised a review, suggesting possible EVM manipulation and questioning how results could contradict Gen Z anger over delayed justice for Zubeen Garg and rising prices. Bora noted that the chief minister had predicted a near-100-seat tally for the NDA, a projection echoed by exit polls.
For Congress, the 2026 Assam election results are a clear warning. The party's once-broad base has narrowed, and its future depends on rebuilding trust with voters beyond its current strongholds.
