NEW DELHI: Md Ashraful Islam Sheikh of the Indian National Congress won the Parbatjhora assembly seat in Assam, defeating Rezaul Karim of the Bodoland Peoples Front by a margin of 9,022 votes in the constituency's first-ever election.
Sheikh secured 77,128 votes, while Karim polled 68,106. Ayub Hussain Mondal of the United People's Party, Liberal finished a distant third with 8,920 votes. Candidates from the All India United Democratic Front and smaller parties, along with independents, secured marginal votes. NOTA recorded 1,373 votes.
Parbatjhora is a newly created constituency in Kokrajhar district, carved out during the 2023 delimitation exercise, making the 2026 election its first assembly contest. With no sitting MLA or historical voting pattern, the race was closely watched as parties sought to establish an early foothold in the region.
The constituency has a diverse demographic mix, including Bodo communities and other ethnic and linguistic groups, with a largely rural population dependent on agriculture. Local issues such as flood management and land concerns have traditionally influenced voter behaviour, given the region's vulnerability to seasonal flooding.
The broader Assam assembly elections in 2026 recorded a historic turnout of 85.9%, the highest since 1951, surpassing previous highs of 84.67% in 2016 and 82.04% in 2021. Women voters recorded a turnout of 86.5%, higher than men at 85.3%, marking the highest-ever female participation in the state.
The result gives Congress an early advantage in Parbatjhora, setting the tone for political competition in this newly formed constituency.
