With the Assam Legislative Assembly elections expected in the first week of April 2026, political parties across the state are locked in intense negotiations over seat-sharing for the 126 constituencies. While the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP appears close to finalising its formula, the Congress-led opposition bloc is struggling with internal disagreements that could hurt its prospects.
Within the NDA, discussions are in the final stages. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has set March 10 as the deadline to conclude talks. He recently said that discussions with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) would be wrapped up by March 9-10 and talks with the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) are almost complete. According to sources, the BJP is likely to contest between 86 and 90 seats, AGP between 24 and 27, while the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and BPF together may get around 10 to 11 seats. In the 2021 elections, the alliance had divided seats as BJP 93, AGP 22, and UPPL 11.
However, tensions remain, especially in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The UPPL, led by Pramod Boro has announced plans to field candidates in 21 seats; 15 in BTR and six outside. On March 2, senior UPPL leaders including Khampa Borgoyari and Maothi Brahma Hazowary joined the BPF strengthening BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary’s position in Chirang. Despite this, Pramod Boro has said the alliance with the BJP continues. There is also the possibility of friendly contests between BJP and AGP in some seats with Sarma stating that it is acceptable if either of the allies wins.
On the opposition side, the situation is far more complicated. The proposed alliance between Congress and Raijor Dal is facing a deadlock over seat allocation. On March 2, Raijor Dal working president Bhasco De Saikia said his party had sought 15 seats from a list of 18, but Congress offered only four for direct contest, four for friendly fights and five additional seats outside their preferred list making a total of 13. He said the alliance could be finalised if one more seat is given but did not disclose which constituency is the sticking point. Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi has openly criticised Congress saying he cannot surrender to the party and questioning how an alliance can function if Congress insists on contesting 100 seats.
Congress president Gaurav Gogoi has said that talks are ongoing and positive, but no breakthrough has been announced. Yogendra Yadav is also trying to mediate between the parties. Meanwhile, reports that Congress agreed to give nine seats to the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), including Sarupathar in Golaghat sparked protests at Abarta Bhawan on February 26. Local Congress workers threatened a “mundan protest,” accusing the leadership of ignoring grassroots workers. Similar issues are being reported with Left parties and others, particularly over minority-dominated constituencies.
Chief Minister Sarma has criticised the opposition’s seat-sharing troubles saying Congress may struggle to win even the 24 seats required to secure the Leader of Opposition post. On February 26, he claimed that the main fight within the opposition is over 22 miya Muslim-dominated seats which he said could leave Congress with only 16 seats.
The NDA has already completed booth-level internal elections to identify candidates giving it an organisational advantage. With the first Assembly polls after the 2023 delimitation approaching, the outcome of these negotiations could shape Assam’s political future. For now, seat-sharing disputes have made the pre-election atmosphere tense and the coming days will be crucial in deciding whether the opposition can present a united front or head into the polls divided.
