Cong faces criticism over seat-sharing delay in Assam

Guwahati: The negotiations for seat-sharing among opposition parties in Assam for the upcoming election have hit a roadblock. Congress has attributed the delay to its policy, which is guided by national leadership, and ongoing surveys conducted by professional agencies.

Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi, a prominent figure in the opposition alliance, has expressed dissatisfaction with the delay. The Left parties, including CPM, are also eager for an early announcement regarding the seats to be contested by the opposition. However, Ripun Bora, chairman of the election management committee of Assam PCC, criticized Akhil Gogoi, stating, “One man cannot dictate the terms.” Bora emphasized that Congress will follow its own policy on seat sharing. In Nov, state PCC President Gaurav Gogoi announced that eight parties, including Congress, would contest the 2026 assembly elections together.


“Congress is a national party, and we have our own style of functioning. If someone who has come forward for an alliance with us is desperate, we cannot satisfy him. Congress has to move ahead with a broader outlook and based on consensus,” Bora stated. He assured that Congress is seriously considering the opposition alliance and has engaged professional agencies to survey the prospects of parties and candidates in various assembly constituencies.

Meanwhile, AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal criticized Congress for not uniting all opposition parties, despite labeling BJP as the primary adversary. Ajmal said, “AIUDF is not for giving a walkover to BJP by infighting between anti-BJP parties. AIUDF was never with BJP.” He expressed AIUDF’s goal of winning over 20 seats and increasing its tally from the 2021 assembly election results. Ajmal hinted at contesting the upcoming assembly polls independently if Congress does not collaborate with AIUDF, as Assam PCC Gaurav Gogoi seems uninterested in joining forces with AIUDF.

The opposition alliance Mahajot, formed before the 2021 assembly polls, collapsed soon after the elections. The APCC decided to end ties with AIUDF due to its perceived “appeasement” of BJP, which confused Congress members. Subsequently, BPF also left Mahajot and has now joined the NDA government in Assam.

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Mahajot was rebranded as the ASOM alliance, comprising over 15 parties, including Left and regional parties, led by Congress. However, the opposition unity disintegrated in October 2024 over seat-sharing disagreements in a by-election, leading Congress to exit the alliance. In November 2025, eight parties, including Congress, Raijor Dal, AJP, Left, and others, announced a joint election contest plan for 2026.