Barchalla assembly polls 2026: BJP's Ritu Baran Sarmah won against Congress' Ripun Bora

Ritu Baran Sarmah of the BJP emerged victorious in the election, securing a total of 84495 votes. He defeated Congress candidate Ripun Bora by a decisive margin of 24562 votes.Barchalla is a vital constituency located in the Sonitpur district, historically known as a traditional stronghold for the Congress until the mid-2010s. Under the 2023 delimitation, the boundaries were slightly adjusted, but it remains a General seat that serves as a pulse for the rural electorate of the North Bank.For the 2026 Election, BJP has introduced Ritu Baran Sarmah to defend the seat, while the INC has fielded MP Ripun Bora.In the 2021 Assembly Elections, the BJP’s Ganesh Kumar Limbu secured a definitive victory, polling 51.5% of the total votes. He defeated his closest rival from the Indian National Congress (INC) with a margin of over 17,000 votes, marking the BJP’s second consecutive win here after decades of Congress dominance under leaders like Tanka Bahadur Rai.Barchalla is characterized by a 100% rural electorate with a complex demographic mix. It is home to a significant population of the Gorkha community, which often acts as the primary power broker in elections. Additionally, the Tea Tribe (Adivasi) community and indigenous Assamese groups form large voting blocs.The 2026 campaign has been dominated by the demand for ST status for six ethnic groups and the persistent issue of land rights for tea estate workers. With voter turnout historically hovering around 79-83%, the political consciousness here is exceptionally high, making every village council meeting a potential turning point for the candidates.