Dhemaji Assembly Seat: A Three-Way Electoral Battle with Shifting Alliances
The Dhemaji constituency in Assam is gearing up for a highly competitive and multi-cornered electoral contest, with the political landscape shaped by dynamic alliances, prominent personalities, and pressing local concerns. This reserved Scheduled Tribe (ST) seat is poised for a triangular showdown, featuring the incumbent BJP MLA and state education minister, Ranoj Pegu, against Congress candidate Sailen Sonowal and Independent candidate Babul Sonowal.
Key Candidates and Political Dynamics
While three other candidates—Lilimai Doley of SUCI (Communist), Lalit Pegu of Voters Party International, and Narendra Kumar Paw of TMC—are also in the race, political observers largely view the primary contest as a three-way fight. The election carries an intriguing backstory, particularly involving Babul Sonowal. Initially nominated as the Raijor Dal candidate, his candidacy was withdrawn following a last-minute alliance between Raijor Dal and Congress. Unwilling to step aside, Babul entered the fray as an Independent, adding a compelling twist to the electoral narrative.
Ranoj Pegu, a 64-year-old MBBS graduate from Gauhati Medical College, remains a towering figure in Dhemaji politics. Belonging to the Mising community, which constitutes a significant portion of the electorate, he boasts strong grassroots connections and widespread recognition. Notably, among the six candidates, four—including Pegu—hail from the Mising community, while Babul and Sailen belong to the Sonowal Kachari community.
Historical Context and Electoral Performance
Pegu's political journey includes founding the regional Sanmilita Gana Shakti in 2005 before joining the BJP in 2017. He won the Dhemaji by-election that year by a margin of 9,285 votes, defeating Babul Sonowal. In the 2021 assembly elections, he significantly increased his victory margin to 30,792 votes, overcoming AJP's Chittaranjan Basumatary, while Congress candidate Sailen Sonowal finished third with 44,832 votes.
Reflecting on his tenure, Pegu stated, "I have served the people of Dhemaji with complete dedication—first as their representative and now as their education minister. The trust that this constituency has placed in me twice is my greatest strength and my greatest responsibility. I will continue to work for the development of Dhemaji and the welfare of every community in this seat. The BJP government has brought unprecedented progress, and I am confident that voters will recognise and reward that once again."
Opposition Challenges and Voter Concerns
However, the Congress party believes the political situation has evolved. Sailen Sonowal argued, "Ranoj Pegu has been the education minister for years, yet the youth of Dhemaji are still leaving Assam to do semi-skilled labour in distant states. Floods destroy our homes every year, and our rural roads remain in a deplorable condition. It is time to hold the government accountable."
Dhemaji's electoral history reveals shifting political preferences. Since 1972, the constituency has witnessed 12 elections, with AGP securing four victories, while BJP and Congress have each won three times. The Swatantra Party and an Independent candidate have also claimed the seat once each.
Persistent Local Issues and Voter Expectations
Floods and erosion, poor rural road connectivity, and unemployment continue to be the defining issues for the constituency. Annually, many young people migrate outside Assam in search of semi-skilled work—a reality that all candidates have pledged to address, yet voters are still awaiting tangible change. The outcome of this election will hinge on how effectively these critical concerns are tackled by the competing candidates.
