Three Sitting MLAs to Join BJP Today; NDA Strategy Meet Signals Poll Push in Assam

GUWAHATI: Three sitting MLAs — Shashi Kanta Das of Raha, Basanta Das and Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha— will officially become members of the Bharatiya Janata Party through a special programme at 8 am on Thursday which will take place at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan in Guwahati. 

The induction ceremony will take place in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia, who is also the Member of Parliament from the Darrang–Udalguri Lok Sabha constituency.

Earlier on Wednesday night, a crucial NDA meeting was held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. The discussions primarily revolved around the forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections and strategic planning for the 2026 Assam Assembly polls. 

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma explained to the media that the NDA discussions primarily dealt with the process of electing Rajya Sabha members. He informed that the BJP’s election committee meeting at Vajpayee Bhawan has begun preparing panels of prospective candidates for the Assembly elections. The party has developed candidate panels through two distinct phases according to him which consist of three-member panels for existing constituencies and five-member panels for newly established constituencies. The party has completed 90 seats worth of panels which it will submit to the parliamentary board in New Delhi for approval. The entire process is expected to be completed within the next few days, and the first list of candidates is likely to be released around the 10th or 12th of this month.

On the Rajya Sabha front, Assam minister Jogen Mohan announced that he will file his nomination at 11 am. Expressing gratitude to the state leadership for placing their trust in him, Mohan thanked the people of Mahmora and assured that even if elected to the Rajya Sabha, he would continue to stand by his constituents. He also indicated the need for a capable successor to represent the Mahmora Assembly constituency.

Meanwhile, Bodoland People’s Front leader Durga Das Boro, who attended the NDA meeting upon invitation, described the opposition’s lack of strategy in the Rajya Sabha elections as unfortunate despite having adequate numbers. He said there are no major complications regarding seat-sharing arrangements for the Assembly elections and added that no final decision has yet been taken by BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary on the matter. He further remarked that for the development, growth and security of Assam, the present government is necessary and confirmed his decision to join the BJP.

On alliance dynamics in the Bodoland Territorial Region, the Chief Minister indicated that there could be an understanding with the BPF, though no formal discussion on seat-sharing has yet taken place with either the BPF or the AGP. Referring to the Middle Guwahati constituency, he said it is too early to confirm whether the BJP or the AGP will contest the seat, as there are 12 ticket aspirants from the BJP alone and an AGP MLA as well. A final decision is expected within a few days.

The Chief Minister restricted his response to questions about Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi by stating that nomination papers need to be submitted before he can comment. He stated that all comments should remain pending until that point.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma then attended the BJP election committee meeting at Vajpayee Bhawan together with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and state BJP president Dilip Saikia and other senior leaders who included Pijush Hazarika and Kaushik Rai. The Chief Minister arrived at the venue with Dilip Saikia and other ministers, indicating that the meeting held major importance.

The entry of new legislators into the BJP-led NDA has resulted in increased political activity as they begin Rajya Sabha election preparations and finalize Assembly candidate panels for the upcoming critical electoral period in Assam.

Also Read: Raijor Dal Releases First List of 11 Candidates for Upcoming Assembly Elections, Day After Congress Announcement