Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi accuses Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of manipulating voter lists by adding outsiders ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Opposition alliance strengthens as parties unite to challenge BJP in a high-stakes political battle.
Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday launched a sharp political offensive against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that the state government was attempting to manipulate the voter list ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections by including individuals from outside Assam. The remarks, delivered at a party programme in Dhubri, have intensified the political temperature as the state approaches a crucial election year.
Gogoi claimed that Chief Minister Sarma had become “the biggest burden for the BJP” and accused him of “desperately trying to include the names of people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in Assam’s voters list.” According to the Congress leader, this alleged voter-enrollment interference is part of a broader attempt by the ruling party to influence the upcoming polls in its favour.
His comments come at a time when the Election Commission of India has initiated a special summary revision of the state’s electoral rolls, with January 1, 2026, set as the qualifying date for the updated voter list. The revision is aimed at cleaning up the rolls, removing ineligible entries and ensuring a transparent, accurate list of eligible voters before Assam heads to the polls.
However, Gogoi warned that the revision process must be monitored closely. He urged political parties, civil society groups, student organisations and media outlets to stay vigilant to ensure that “no outsider is allowed to distort Assam’s electoral mandate.” He stressed that safeguarding the integrity of the voter list was not just a political issue but a matter of protecting Assamese identity and democratic rights.
“We are not preparing for the 2026 election merely to increase our seats,” Gogoi said. “We are preparing to form the government and safeguard the rights and interests of the people of Assam.” His statement reflects the Congress party’s clear intention to position itself as the primary challenger to the ruling BJP.
Escalating his criticism further, Gogoi alleged that the chief minister was currently “in serious political trouble.” According to him, Sarma had reached out to AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal for political support as tensions rise ahead of next year’s polls. He also claimed that AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi “may also appear in Assam soon” in what he suggested could be a coordinated effort to aid the chief minister’s political prospects.
These remarks hint at a growing narrative being promoted by the Congress — that the BJP is attempting to secure the 2026 election through backdoor strategies and opportunistic alliances.
At the same time, Gogoi highlighted the growing unity among opposition parties in Assam. He said that eight parties — the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, Jatiya Dal–Asom and the All Party Hill Leaders Conference — have already agreed to contest the 2026 Assembly election together. He described this alliance as “far more united and prepared than ever before.”
According to Gogoi, the alliance has made notable progress in building a common strategy, coordinating campaign plans and identifying shared political goals. He asserted that the opposition bloc had gained significant momentum and was well-positioned to challenge the BJP’s political dominance in the state.
Political analysts believe that such a broad coalition could substantially reshape Assam’s electoral landscape. The upcoming election is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent years, especially with issues of identity, migration, employment, development and governance taking centre stage.
The BJP, which has been in power in Assam since 2016, is likely to face a determined challenge from this newly consolidated opposition. Gogoi’s remarks signal that the Congress intends to focus heavily on allegations of voter list manipulation, governance failures and political instability within the ruling party’s ranks.
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As Assam moves closer to a high-stakes election year, the political environment is expected to intensify further. With accusations, alliances and counter-strategies already dominating public discourse, the 2026 Assembly elections appear poised to shape the state’s political future in a decisive way.
