As Assam prepares for its 2026 Assembly elections, the political atmosphere in Guwahati, the state's largest city, presents a nuanced picture of campaigning and voter engagement. Despite the ongoing election season, the city's landscape, particularly around the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, offers little overt indication of the polls, save for an occasional party flag or an empty polling booth. However, a prominent billboard proclaiming "Akou ebar BJP sorkar" (BJP government once more) greets visitors arriving at the airport, signaling the ruling party's intent to retain power.
The campaign style in Guwahati follows the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) distinctive "permanent campaign" approach, marked by repeated visits from top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. These visits often coincide with inaugurations and foundation stone-laying ceremonies for various projects, reinforcing the party's presence and developmental narrative. Amidst this, a significant factor influencing the electoral dynamics is the impact of the 2023 delimitation exercise, which has redrawn the boundaries of several Assembly constituencies, including Jalukbari, altering the voter mix and geographical scope for the candidates.
Jalukbari, designated as Assembly Constituency 37, now marks its western boundary near the airport. It has been the political base of Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma since 2001, who has consistently won from this seat. Following the delimitation, the constituency has lost areas like Agyathuri, Mandakata, and Changsari on the north bank of the Brahmaputra but gained others such as Azara, Dharapur, and Garigaon - a village with a population exceeding 14,000. These changes have introduced new segments of voters with diverse backgrounds, necessitating a recalibrated campaign effort.
Mr. Sarma formally entered the fray early on March 20, filing his nomination papers amid a large roadshow accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, son Nandil, and Guwahati's BJP Member of Parliament Bijuli Kalita Medhi. Reflecting on his long-standing association with the constituency, he noted, "I first contested from Jalukbari in 1996 and lost. Since 2001, I have been winning continuously. Despite delimitation changes, I believe I will continue to receive the blessings of the people." His campaign activities included launching the second phase of the BJP's Jana Ashirwad Yatra (People's Blessing March) from Jalukbari, where he requested residents to be patient as he would be extensively campaigning across the state.
While Mr. Sarma has taken on the role of campaigner-in-chief for the BJP-led alliance statewide, the on-ground campaign management within Jalukbari has largely been handled by his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma. She has been actively touring the constituency, engaging with voters and managing campaign logistics, underscoring the family's deep involvement in the electoral process.
Mr. Sarma faces competition from two other candidates in Jalukbari: Bidisha Neog of the Indian National Congress and Dipika Das, an Independent candidate affiliated with the Bhumi Adhikar Party. Ms. Neog, known for her grassroots activism and previous work at Gauhati University, has adopted a confrontational stance against the ruling party. She has alleged instances of violence during BJP events, such as a bike rally in the Pandu area, and has petitioned the Election Commission to disqualify Mr. Sarma's candidacy on grounds of "deliberate, wilful and corrupt non-disclosure and suppression of assets and liabilities, including assets situated outside India." Despite these challenges, political observers and local supporters largely view Mr. Sarma's victory as highly probable.
Local residents express strong support for the Chief Minister's continued representation. In Garal Baruapara, Dharapur, near the Shri Dol Gobindo Mandir, individuals like Jugal Das, a school teacher, and Girish Chandra Das, a retired bank officer, show confidence in Mr. Sarma's leadership. They note that he is likely to cast his vote at a local school in their area, further reinforcing his connection with the constituency.
A critical aspect of the BJP's electoral strategy is to not only secure Mr. Sarma's win but also to ensure a substantial victory margin, ideally matching or surpassing his six-figure lead from the 2021 election. Here, the newly incorporated areas such as Garigaon are seen as key battlegrounds. Garigaon, part of Guwahati's peri-urban expansion, is a diverse community comprising caste Hindu Assamese, Bengali-origin Muslims, and a majority of khilonjia or tholuwa Muslims, identified as indigenous to the region. The area holds historical significance, with local leaders citing the presence of a Sufi saint's shrine dating back to 700 AD, predating even the arrival of the Ahoms, who ruled Assam for nearly six centuries.
Local BJP councillor Hukum Shan Ali Boxi, who previously aligned with the Assam Jatiya Parishad but now supports the ruling party, highlights the intensified party activity in Garigaon. He points to a surge in party membership over recent months, daily door-to-door campaigns, and regular corner meetings aimed at voter outreach ahead of polling day on April 9. The Chief Minister's wife recently addressed a large gathering at the Garigaon Idgah ground and visited a nearby namghar, a community prayer hall associated with the followers of Srimanta Sankardeva, a revered Vaishnavite saint. These efforts reflect a focused attempt to bridge communal and cultural divides through inclusive campaigning.
Since the 2023 delimitation, visible infrastructural improvements have transformed Garigaon with paved roads and street lighting. Local shopkeeper Taher Ali remarks on the enhanced civic amenities, including funds allocated to youth clubs, graveyards, and madrasas. He also notes that many women in the area benefit from the Orunodoi monthly financial assistance scheme, a government welfare program aimed at empowering economically vulnerable groups.
Mr. Boxi asserts that these development initiatives have translated into electoral gains. He recalls that in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured over 1,000 votes in Garigaon, a significant increase from the roughly 200 votes the party had previously garnered. This momentum reflects a growing acceptance of the BJP among the community, traditionally seen as less aligned with the party.
Iman Ali, a septuagenarian and a recent member of the BJP's Bishwabidyalaya Mandal Minority Morcha, acknowledges that while some longstanding loyalists may continue to support the Congress, the changing political landscape offers an unprecedented opportunity. He expresses a pragmatic viewpoint: "We should deem ourselves fortunate that we now have the opportunity to elect our own Chief Minister. Mama [as Mr. Sarma is popularly called] is winning anyway. It's a question of whether we join him or stay on the sidelines."
Overall, the electoral scenario in Jalukbari and surrounding areas encapsulates the broader challenges and strategies of the BJP in Assam. The party seeks to leverage development narratives, inclusive outreach, and the personal appeal of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to consolidate its position in a reshaped constituency landscape. Meanwhile, opposition forces attempt to highlight alleged lapses and mobilize grassroots discontent, though their prospects appear limited against the incumbent's substantial support base.
As polling day approaches on April 9, all eyes remain on the evolving dynamics in constituencies like Jalukbari, which not only test the BJP's electoral strength but also reflect the shifting socio-political fabric of Assam in 2026.