Leadership alignment
At the heart of this effort lay a rejuvenated push by the Congress’ central leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and president Mallikarjun Kharge, to build a stronger state unit and craft a fresh strategy. The principal challenger to Sarma was the current president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and MP from Jorhat, Gogoi.
The uniqueness of this battle lay in the political journey of Sarma, who once rose through the ranks of Congress in the state before joining the BJP in 2015. Sarma has over the years developed a large support base, allowing the BJP to consolidate power with considerable effectiveness — combining administrative control with sharp electoral messaging. His deep understanding of Congress’ former support base and Assam’s demographics has enabled him to methodically move away from traditional coalitions, and form new alliances.
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Congress strategy
The Congress seemingly built its strategy around a focused plan for governance reform, economic revival, and social welfare.
According to an Economic Times report, the party’s manifesto promised transparent land records, and reforms in the revenue and taxation system. It prioritised local people for jobs and government contracts, along with immediate flood relief and the initiation of erosion control measures. It also proposed fast-track recruitment to fill vacancies in hospitals and schools.
It also talked about guaranteed annual grants and accountability dashboards for Panchayati Raj institutions, alongside the establishment of single-window citizen service centers at the district level.Additionally, the manifesto also stated that the tea industry would be revived as a major sector, with tea workers receiving industrial minimum wages and benefits. It promised free school buses, drinking water, sanitation, roads, and electricity in tea garden areas.
Gogoi, according to an ANI report, also volleyed a series of questions at the Chief Minister: “He (Sarma) can tell thousands of lies. He has been lying for so long. The Congress Party is going to expose all these lies regarding his family’s property and his family’s businesses abroad… The question is clear: Does your family have a Gold Card in Dubai? Does your family own property in Dubai? Third, did you declare this in your election affidavit?”
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To counter Sarma’s dominance, Gogoi foregrounded issues such as inflation, unemployment and excessive centralisation of power.
Party leaders also indicated efforts to form a regional alliance to consolidate the anti-BJP vote. According to a TOI report, Gogoi had said, “All parties reached a consensus on forming an anti-BJP alliance to free the people of Assam from the misrule, corruption, and oppression of the current government.”
BJP’s structural and electoral advantage
Widely regarded as one of BJP’s most formidable regional leaders, Sarma has been able to successfully blend governance with political strategy.
His administration’s focus on infrastructure development, welfare schemes and identity-specific narratives has helped consolidate large groups of voters from all across the state, as highlighted in the party’s 2026 election manifesto under schemes like “Jaati Janagoshtir Unnayan”, “Arogya Asom” and “Jibon Prerana Scheme”.
The BJP’s success in this state has been built upon an effective organisational strategy consisting of disciplined cadres and a huge base of supporters and well-wishers, as mentioned in their manifesto. According to a TOI report, Sarma said, “It will take several years for them to make a comeback because we are doing so much good work for the people and therefore people extend their support.”
Defining moment in Assam politics
The Assam contest shaped up to be a defining moment for both parties. For the Congress, a credible performance, especially in Upper Assam could herald a dawn for resurgence in Assam, where many analysts had written them off.
For the BJP, retaining dominance would reinforce their grip over the Northeast, and further elevate Sarma’s standing in national politics. With results scheduled for May 4, whatever the outcome, it might very well shape the broader narrative of opposition politics in India, for the near future.
