In a significant move to galvanize its campaign for the crucial 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly elections, the state's Congress leadership held a high-level strategy meeting with the party's top brass in New Delhi. The delegation, led by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Gaurav Gogoi, met with All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday.
Focus on a "BJP Mukt" Assam and Electoral Roadmap
The core agenda of the meeting was to devise a robust plan to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in the upcoming state polls. Gaurav Gogoi stated that the AICC leadership promised full support to the Assam unit's mission to make the state "BJP Mukt" (free of BJP). The discussions encompassed a wide range of topics, from organizational strengthening to key societal issues specific to Assam.
"From organisational matters to key issues concerning the Assamese society, Kharge Ji listened to Assam PCC leaders," Gogoi remarked after the deliberations. The AICC leadership provided detailed guidance on enhancing the party's outreach, coordination, and election-time mobilization efforts.
Navigating the Opposition Alliance and Seat-Sharing
The timing of this Delhi huddle is critical, as it precedes the Assam PCC's political affairs committee meeting scheduled for mid-December. The primary focus of the December meeting is expected to be finalizing seat-sharing arrangements within the eight-party opposition alliance that has been formed in the state.
This grand alliance, which includes Left and several regional parties, is currently facing the complex challenge of multiple parties staking claim to the same constituencies. The New Delhi meeting aimed to streamline a cohesive joint strategy to present a unified front against the BJP-led coalition.
High-Profile Attendance and Strategic Review
The meeting was chaired by AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge and saw the participation of senior national leaders including AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal and AICC general secretary in-charge of Assam, Jitendra Singh.
The Assam delegation was comprehensive, featuring key figures from the state's political landscape:
- Gaurav Gogoi, PCC President
- Debabrata Saikia, Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly
- Bhupen Bora, former APCC President
- MPs Rakibul Hussain and Pradyut Bordoloi
- Former MP Ripun Bora
- Working Presidents Zakir Hussain Sikdar, Rozelina Tirkey, and Pradip Sarkar
According to Assam PCC spokesperson Bedabrata Bora, the deliberation involved a comprehensive review of the party's organizational preparedness in Assam and the formulation of a strong electoral strategy for the 2026 polls. The outcome of this meeting is likely to set the tone for the Congress's aggressive campaign in the run-up to the assembly elections, where the party aims to reclaim its foothold in the northeastern state.
