Assam Assembly Elections 2026: Gaurav Gogoi to Contest Jorhat; Congress Candidate List Out

The Indian National Congress on Tuesday released its list of candidates for the upcoming Assam assembly elections 2026, in a clear bid to seize early momentum in the race for Dispur. The headline decision in the candidate list is the fielding of Assam Congress president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi from the Jorhat assembly constituency, a significant Upper Assam seat.

The decision is being interpreted as a calculated push to inject new energy into Upper Assam, a region where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has entrenched itself in recent cycles. By positioning Gogoi in Jorhat, the Congress appears to be elevating the contest into a high-visibility battle, anchoring its Upper Assam strategy around a national-level face, and attempting a generational contrast in leadership optics.

Crucially, the Congress has clarified that, as of now, alliance with Raijor Dal has not yet materialized but efforts are on. Despite earlier speculation of a broader anti-BJP front, negotiations have not materialised into a formal seat-sharing arrangement.

However, the party has confirmed an understanding with the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), signalling that selective regional coordination remains part of its strategy.

The absence of a Raijor Dal tie-up may fragment opposition votes in certain constituencies, particularly in Upper Assam and select indigenous belts, a factor that could significantly influence close contests.

Prominent Faces

Meanwhile, prominent party leaders like Mira Borthakur, Ripun Bora and Debabrata Saikia have been fielded from their respective strongholds. Mira Borthakur Goswami, Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress president, has been fielded from Dispur, while former state Congress president Ripun Bora will contest from the Barchalla constituency.

The leader of opposition in the Assam assembly, Debabrata Saikia, has been fielded from Nazira, and Tanzil Hussain, the son of Dhubri Lok Sabha MP Rakibul Hussain, will contest from Samaguri.

Bihpuria, the seat previously contested by the much-discussed Bhupen Borah, who recently made a headline-grabbing switch from Congress to the BJP, has been handed to Narayan Bhuyan.

Notably, the Congress has released candidates for 42 out of the 126 legislative assembly constituencies in the first list, with further additions expected. With the seat-sharing formula between the alliance parties not finalised yet, it remains unclear how many candidates will be fielded by the party.

Full List

In a statement issued by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the party said its Central Election Committee had cleared the names for the forthcoming polls. The full list includes a mix of senior leaders, former ministers, sitting MLAs and several new faces, indicating a balanced approach as the party prepares to take on the ruling dispensation.

In the Guwahati region, the party has fielded Satyabrat Kalita from Kamalpur. Ashok Kumar Sarma has been named the candidate from Nalbari, and Ratul Patuwary from Tihu.

In Upper Assam, Dhruba Gogoi will contest from Duliajan, Pranjal Ghatowar from Chabua-Lahowal, and Durga Bhumij from Doomdooma. Indraneel Pegu has been nominated from the ST-reserved Majuli constituency, while Raton Engti will contest from Bokajan (ST), Prateek Bordoloi from Margherita, Ajoy Kumar Gogoi from Demow, Raj Kumar Medak from Jonai (ST), and Augustine Enghee from Rongkhang (ST).

The party has also announced candidates for several constituencies in Barak Valley. Abhijit Paul has been fielded from Silchar, Aminul Haque Lasker from Sonai, Jakaria Ahmed from Karimganj North, Ajit Singh from Udharbond,  Kartik Sena Sinha from Patharkandi, Santi Kumar Singha from Lakhipur, and Suruchi Roy from Ramkrishna Nagar (SC).

Further, Abdus Sobahan Ali Sarkar has been named from Gauripur, Markline Marak from Goalpara West (ST), Girish Baruah from Bongaigaon, and Mahananda Sarkar from Barpeta (SC). Ramen Singh Rabha will contest from Boko-Chaygaon (ST), while Nandita Das has been nominated from Hajo-Sualkuchi (SC).

The Congress has also fielded Diganta Barman from Barkhetri, Binanda Kumar Saikia from Sipajhar, Bubul Das from Jagiroad (SC), Nurul Huda from Rupahihat, Utpal Bania from Raha (SC), Swapan Kar from Lumding, Pranati Phukan from Naharkatia, Utpal Gogoi from Sonari, Pallabi Saikia Gogoi from Teok, Bitupan Saikia from Golaghat, and Amit Kumar Kalwar from Barkhola.

With elections expected in April, the political atmosphere has sharply intensified.

Congress has drawn the first line in the 2026 battle. Whether that early move translates into electoral traction will depend on how the BJP responds, and whether the fragmented opposition space consolidates or competes.

Also Read: Assam: Congress Workers In Sarupathar Protest Over Seat Allocation