Assam Opposition Makes Third Attempt at Unity Ahead of 2026 Polls
In a significant political development, opposition parties in Assam have initiated fresh efforts to form a united front against the ruling BJP ahead of the crucial 2026 state assembly elections. The Congress party, taking a proactive role, convened a meeting with key regional allies on Wednesday, marking the third attempt to stitch together a viable anti-BJP coalition.
Key Players in the Unity Talks
The high-stakes meeting saw participation from several important opposition figures. Congress leaders led by state AICC-in-charge Jitendra Singh Alwar engaged with representatives from Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, CPI(M), and CPI (M-L). Among the prominent attendees were Raijor Dal leader and MLA Akhil Gogoi, Assam Jatiya Parishad leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi, CPI(M) leader and MLA Manoranjan Talukdar, and Independent Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Bhuyan.
The gathering followed a Congress Political Affairs Committee meeting, indicating the seriousness of the unity efforts. This comes at a critical juncture with state elections scheduled for next year, where the opposition aims to present a credible alternative to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's government.
Congress Asserts Leadership Role
Following the meetings, Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi made a strong statement about his party's intentions. "We need a Congress-led government in Assam for the interests of the people," Gogoi declared. He emphasized that citizens are seeking relief from what he described as "Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's leadership, from infamy, divisive politics, and an environment of fear."
While Gogoi stopped short of explicitly mentioning an alliance, he clearly positioned Congress as the natural leader of any opposition coalition. "People want an alternative and Congress has to take the lead for that," he asserted, signaling the party's ambition to helm any united opposition front.
Regional Parties Express Optimism
Leaders from the regional parties expressed cautious optimism about the prospects of successful alliance formation this time. The CPI(M)'s Manoranjan Talukdar stated he was "100% hopeful" about an alliance materializing, while the AJP's Lurinjyoti Gogoi emphasized that "Unity has to be our principle."
However, the path to opposition unity remains challenging. The relationship between these parties has proven tenuous in recent years. Initial alliance attempts began in 2023 under former Congress chief Bhupen Borah, leading to a united front during last year's Lok Sabha elections. However, this coalition collapsed during bypolls for some Assembly seats in November over contentious seat-sharing arrangements.
Seat-Sharing Challenges and Political History
The two emergent regional parties, Raijor Dal and AJP, are expected to demand significant seat allocations in any alliance framework. Raijor Dal's Akhil Gogoi had already announced in September that the party wants to contest 36 seats, while an AJP leader indicated their party is aiming for between 14 and 16 seats out of the total 126 constituencies in the Assam legislative assembly.
An earlier attempt to revive this alliance ahead of panchayat polls earlier this year also ended in failure, making this the third serious effort to bring these opposition forces together. The repeated collapses highlight the inherent challenges in managing competing interests and ambitions among diverse political entities.
BJP's Response and Political Context
Weighing in on the opposition's unity efforts, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma appeared dismissive of their prospects. He recalled that "When Bhupen Borah was the Congress chief we would hear about such meetings every week." Sarma characterized the opposition's efforts as cyclical, noting that "They would talk amongst themselves, and then fight amongst themselves."
The Chief Minister's comments reflect the BJP's confidence following their dominant performance in recent elections. However, with assembly polls approaching, the opposition's renewed unity push indicates they recognize the necessity of presenting a consolidated front to challenge the incumbent government effectively.
As political temperatures rise in Assam, all eyes will be on whether this third attempt at opposition unity can overcome past failures and create a credible alternative that can mount a serious challenge to the BJP's political dominance in the state.
