Top Congress figures convened in New Delhi on Thursday to address internal disputes within the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and strategize for the upcoming 2026 Assam assembly elections. Party President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi led the discussions, emphasizing the necessity for unity to counter the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party .
The meeting was attended by key leaders, including Assam PCC President Bhupen Kumar Borah, Leader of Opposition in the Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia, Deputy Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, and AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal. The assembly underscored the imperative of cohesive action to challenge the BJP’s influence in the state.
In the lead-up to this meeting, a faction of 26 senior Congress members from Assam had petitioned for a change in leadership, advocating for Gaurav Gogoi to replace Bhupen Kumar Borah as the PCC President. These members, many of whom were loyalists of the late former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, expressed concerns over the current leadership’s effectiveness ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Despite these internal calls for change, the central leadership did not announce any alterations to the state leadership during the meeting. A senior participant noted, “There was no decision to replace Bhupen Borah. The AICC leaders clarified that everybody needs to be on the same page under the PCC for the assembly polls.”
The discussions also touched upon potential alliances with other anti-BJP parties. However, previous attempts to form a united front, such as the Asom Sanmilita Morcha—a coalition of 18 parties aligned with the INDIA bloc—had disintegrated due to disagreements over seat-sharing arrangements.
Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized the importance of presenting a united front to effectively challenge the BJP’s governance in Assam. Kharge stated, “In a year, the people of Assam shall discard the politics of corruption, division, and vendetta. 3.5 crore people of Assam look towards the Congress to usher in this change.”
Bhupen Kumar Borah echoed this sentiment, asserting that the Assam Congress leaders have pledged to work collectively to unseat the BJP government in the upcoming elections. He emphasized the need to address issues such as corruption and societal unrest, which he attributed to the current administration under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Gaurav Gogoi, while refraining from commenting on the leadership petition, highlighted the party’s commitment to addressing the state’s challenges. He remarked, “Everyone knows that there is an atmosphere of unrest in society. The Lanka of corruption that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has established has to be destroyed.”
In response to the Congress’s assertions, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma dismissed the criticisms, characterizing them as politically motivated. He defended his administration’s record, stating that the government’s initiatives have been aimed at fostering growth and addressing the needs of the populace.
The Congress leadership outlined plans to intensify grassroots mobilization starting in March, aiming to capitalize on any incumbency disadvantages faced by the BJP. Strategies include organizing rallies led by prominent figures such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi in various regions of Assam.
The party also intends to spotlight issues like unemployment and alleged corruption within the current state government. By highlighting these concerns, the Congress aims to resonate with the electorate’s sentiments and position itself as a viable alternative in the forthcoming elections.
As the 2026 Assam assembly elections approach, the Congress faces the dual challenge of resolving internal divisions and presenting a cohesive strategy to voters. The outcome of these efforts will significantly influence the party’s prospects in a state where it once held substantial sway.
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