Congress Pushes for United Opposition Front Ahead of 2026 Assam Polls; Alliance Talks in Advanced Stage

Guwahati: The Congress party will contest the 2026 Assam Assembly elections in a strong and united manner against the ruling BJP, in alliance with other opposition forces, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Gaurav Gogoi and Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia reiterated on Monday.

Speaking to the media after a Screening Committee meeting at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi, the two leaders said discussions with Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal, APHLC, CPI and CPI(M) were progressing positively. Saikia confirmed that seat-sharing talks with Raijor Dal are ongoing and discussions are being held for two to three constituencies, with broader negotiations continuing across multiple seats.

Gaurav Gogoi dismissed speculation that the resignation of former APCC President Bhupen Borah had weakened the party’s organisational structure. He said the Congress grassroots network remained intact and praised party workers in Ranganadi for holding block-level meetings on the very day Bora resigned. He also hinted at fresh Congress joinings in Bihpuria and said detailed updates would be shared soon.

Debabrata Saikia said the Screening Committee had discussed potential candidates, but no final names had been cleared yet, as the Election Committee would take the final call. He urged people not to believe rumours claiming that alliance talks with Raijor Dal had collapsed, calling them misinformation. Saikia confirmed that Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi has been in touch regarding multiple constituencies and that efforts are underway to reach a broad consensus. Talks are also continuing with All Party Hills leaders and other opposition partners.

Seat-Sharing Talks Still in Progress

Sources said Congress and Raijor Dal have reached a broad understanding on most constituencies, though disagreements persist in Naoboicha, Dhing, Borchala and Dima Hasao. A breakthrough was expected in Dhing, while Naoboicha remains a key sticking point. Both parties are also considering friendly contests in Margherita, Mandia and East Goalpara.

Under the emerging arrangement, Raijor Dal is likely to contest Digboi, Sibsagar, Mariani, Ranganadi, Tezpur, Dalgaon and Manas with Congress support, while negotiations continue over a few remaining constituencies.

AJP and Other Opposition Parties Prepare Candidate Line-Up

Meanwhile, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) is preparing its candidate list, with Lurinjyoti Gogoi (Khowang), Jagadish Bhuyan (Sadiya), Mainak Patra (Dibrugarh) and Jiban Chutia (Sarupathar) among the probable contenders. Rajen Gohain may be fielded from Barampur, while K N Choudhury or an AGP sitting MLA could contest from Guwahati Central. Pankaj Lochan Goswami or a former AGP MLA is likely in Palashbari, while Dilip Baruah, Rezaul Karim Choudhury, Bani Das and Naren Kumar Paon are being considered for Bajali, Binnakandi, Morigaon and Dhemaji.

Opposition leaders said alliance arithmetic is being finalised carefully to consolidate anti-BJP votes across Assam. Final candidate announcements are expected once seat-sharing negotiations are fully concluded.

Also Read: What Raijor Dal Promises If It Wins Assam in 2026