Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday launched the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) campaign for the upcoming panchayat elections with public meetings in Dhemaji and Digboi, even as the alliance clinched a pre-poll advantage by securing several seats unopposed.
At Tingrai General Ground in Digboi, Sarma spotlighted the NDA’s development-centric agenda, calling upon voters to support the alliance’s vision for rural Assam. “We seek your blessings to continue our mission of transforming Assam’s villages,” he told the gathering.
The panchayat elections will be conducted in two phases on 2 and 7 May, across 27 districts, with the counting of votes slated for 11 May.
As part of the campaign strategy, the Chief Minister is expected to address 27 rallies across the state in a bid to mobilise voter support and consolidate the alliance’s presence in key constituencies.
Meanwhile, the NDA has already secured a significant edge by winning 288 Anchalik Panchayat (AP) and 37 Zila Parishad (ZP) seats uncontested. Of the total 2,192 AP seats, the NDA has won 288 — comprising 259 by BJP and 29 by its ally, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) — accounting for over 13 per cent of the total.
In the ZP category, the BJP has secured 35 and AGP two of the total 397 seats, marking more than nine per cent of the total.
Reacting to the development, Sarma termed the outcome “a massive and unprecedented mandate in Assam’s political history,” in a post on X.
He attributed the early gains to the “immense trust and overwhelming love” of the people for the NDA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He added that the NDA’s final tally is likely to improve further once polling concludes.
While the ruling alliance is gaining ground, the Opposition appears mired in internal discord. The Congress and Raijor Dal, which had initially planned to jointly challenge the BJP in the rural polls, are now grappling with public infighting that could jeopardise the alliance.
Tensions escalated over the weekend after Raijor Dal chief and Sibsagar MLA Akhil Gogoi allegedly described Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia as “agents” of the BJP.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Mehdi Alam Bora lashed out at Akhil’s remarks, warning that such statements risk derailing Opposition unity.
“Gaurav has always been the voice of the people in Parliament. Akhil’s remark could derail the progress of the Opposition grouping,” Bora said on Sunday.
Bora further questioned the logic of seeking a pre-poll alliance while casting aspersions on its leadership. “Akhil also said he doubts if Debabrata is in the BJP or Congress. If he doubts the integrity of the CLP leader, why is he even seeking an alliance with Congress?” he asked, adding, “Akhil should stop making such remarks.”
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