Even as the Congress-led UDF continues to strengthen its position in Kerala, the party is facing a deepening crisis in Assam after its third consecutive electoral defeat in the state. Once a stronghold under the legacy of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Assam has now become a symbol of Congress’s prolonged decline in the North East. The setback is particularly severe with APCC chief Gaurav Gogoi losing the high-profile Jorhat seat to BJP’s Hitendra Nath Goswami, marking a significant blow to the party’s leadership narrative. Despite holding power or influence in states like Karnataka, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and showing potential in Kerala, Congress continues to struggle in expanding its footprint in eastern and north-eastern India. Analysts suggest this regional imbalance is becoming a key concern ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, where national success will depend on a more geographically balanced performance. The Assam result highlights a larger challenge for Congress: isolated state-level gains may not be enough to rebuild a strong national alternative.