If This Is Alliance Politics, CPI Wonders What Comes Next

The Communist Party of India (CPI) has stepped up its political preparations ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, signalling growing unease within the opposition alliance.

The party has formally conveyed to the Congress a list of seven constituencies it seeks to contest as part of opposition unity, but alleges that there has been little response from the Congress leadership so far.

According to CPI leaders, the party is actively preparing to contest elections in Sivasagar, Nazira and Titabor, along with Demow, Morigaon, Dhakuakhana and Gauripur. The decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s executive committee held on Saturday. CPI leaders said that despite submitting the constituency list nearly 25 days ago, Congress has shown no urgency in initiating seat-sharing discussions, prompting the party to move forward with its own preparations.

“We are committed to opposition unity, but unity cannot function without coordination and respect,” a senior CPI leader said. “Despite formally submitting our list well in advance, there has been no meaningful response from Congress.”

Underlining its seriousness about the upcoming polls, the CPI has also indicated potential candidates for key constituencies. Kanak Gogoi is being prepared as the party’s candidate from Nazira, Biswajit Saikia from Titabor, and Madan Baruah from Sivasagar. Party leaders clarified that these steps were taken due to the lack of clarity and coordination from Congress, even as CPI continues to remain part of the broader opposition alliance.

Calling for immediate action, CPI leaders urged Congress to finalise the alliance framework and begin formal seat-sharing talks at the earliest.

“Opposition unity can only survive through timely decision-making,” another CPI leader said, warning that continued delay could weaken collective efforts against the ruling BJP.

The CPI’s announcement has added to the political churn in Assam, particularly in the backdrop of Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi’s recent claim that the party would win 50 seats in Upper Assam in the 2026 elections.

Reacting sharply to the claim, BJP leader and Union Minister Pabitra Margherita today dismissed it as unrealistic. 

“Congress’s own internal assessment is extremely weak,” Margherita said, adding that according to their so-called internal survey, the party would struggle in constituencies dominated by indigenous communities.

He questioned how Congress could speak of a “tsunami” when Upper Assam has only 42 Assembly seats spread across 11 districts.

On the other hand, Assam Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah also launched a fierce attack on the opposition following the CPI’s announcement. Claiming that there was effectively no real opposition left in the state, he alleged that Congress, Raijor Dal, AJP and AIUDF were indistinguishable in ideology, differing only by their party symbols.

Targeting Gaurav Gogoi, Mallabaruah questioned his understanding of Assam’s geography and political landscape, particularly his assertion about winning 50 seats in Upper Assam. “He does not even seem to know how many Assembly seats exist in Upper Assam,” the minister remarked.

Mallabaruah further accused Congress of being rooted in dynastic politics, stating that family-based succession has long been ingrained in the party’s structure. He also took aim at Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi, continuing his criticism of the opposition camp.

With the CPI pressing for clarity on alliance politics and announcing concrete electoral preparations, political tensions within the opposition have become increasingly visible. At the same time, aggressive counterattacks from BJP leaders indicate that the battle lines for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections are being drawn well in advance.

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