Assam’s single‑phase polling on 9 April 2026 concluded peacefully, recording an unprecedented turnout of 85.96 percent. The election will decide 126 seats in the State legislative assembly, with the fate of 722 candidates now sealed in electronic voting machines. Results are scheduled for 4 May, alongside those of Kerala, Puducherry, and several bye‑elections, as well as Tamil Nadu and West Bengal’s contests later in April.
In 2021, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)‑led alliance comfortably crossed the majority mark of 64, securing 75 seats and forming its second government in Dispur. This time, the ruling coalition is projecting an even stronger mandate. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has predicted nearly 100 seats for the alliance in Assam and significant gains in West Bengal. BJP leaders, including State president Dilip Saikia, have interpreted the high turnout as pro‑incumbency, while allies Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front have echoed expectations of a commanding majority.
The opposition, led by the Indian National Congress, contests this narrative. Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi argues that the turnout reflects anti‑incumbency sentiment, citing alleged harassment of minority families and corruption charges against Sarma and his family. The campaign took a sharper turn when Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera accused Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, of holding multiple foreign passports and undisclosed overseas investments. Gogoi claimed the chief minister’s subsequent rhetoric revealed panic.
Both Sarma and his wife rejected the allegations, filing a forgery and conspiracy case. Khera sought relief from the Telangana High Court, briefly obtaining transit anticipatory bail before the Supreme Court stayed the order, directing him to approach a competent court in Assam. Sarma has since demanded accountability from police officials for allowing Khera to leave Guwahati after the FIR was lodged.
The chief minister has gone further, announcing plans to file a public interest litigation against the Election Commission of India (ECI, citing the timing of Khera’s allegations as an attempt to influence voters. He argued that guidelines are needed to prevent misinformation campaigns during sensitive electoral periods, even suggesting cancellation of party registration if deliberate falsehoods are proven.
Opposition leaders quickly seized on Sarma’s remarks, accusing him of undermining constitutional institutions. Debabrata Saikia, leader of the opposition in Assam assembly, condemned the comments as arbitrary and reflective of arrogance in office. Analysts note that Sarma’s stance has inadvertently provided national opposition parties an opening to renew criticism of the ECI, particularly in the context of a recent impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar signed by over 190 parliamentarians.
As Assam awaits the verdict of the ballot boxes, the contest is not only unfolding in the political arena but also in the courts, with implications for both governance and the credibility of institutions.
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*Senior journalist based in Guwahati
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