Assam Elections 2026: AIUDF to Contest 35 Seats Solo, But Keeps Congress Option Open

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) is set to contest 35 of the 126 seats in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, with the party announcing it will go solo, at least for now. The decision was confirmed by party MLA Aminul Islam, who said discussions were held recently with AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal.

“We will contest 35 seats and we will go solo this time. But if the Congress thinks of an alliance, we will consider it, Islam said.

The AIUDF MLA further stressed the need for a united opposition to counter the BJP’s dominance in the state. “All opposition parties should jointly fight against the BJP... Congress or any other party does not have that kind of support to defeat the BJP alone,” he said.

The decision is significant. In the 2021 Assembly elections, AIUDF had partnered with the Congress, the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), and the Left parties under the banner of the ‘Mahajot’ or grand alliance. Despite the high expectations, the alliance faild to stop the BJP from returning to power for a second consecutive term.

The BJP-led NDA returned to power with 75 seats, including 60 won by the BJP alone. Congress managed 29 seats, and AIUDF increased its count to 16 from 13 in 2016. The BPF, once a BJP ally, ended up with just four seats.

Though AIUDF performed well in its stronghold constituencies, mainly in Muslim-majority regions of Lower Assam and Barak Valley, its influence did not extend beyond those areas. The party’s limited geographic reach and polarising image were seen as one of the factors that hindered the alliance’s broader appeal, particularly in Upper Assam, where the BJP swept most seats. In several constituencies, especially in Upper Assam and the north bank, the presence of AIUDF in the alliance was used by the BJP as a campaign issue to consolidate Hindu votes, and it did pay off electorally.

Moreover, the Mahajot was criticised for lacking a cohesive narrative or leadership face capable of matching the BJP’s political machinery and welfare-driven messaging. While Congress and AIUDF may have shared a common goal of defeating the BJP, their ideological differences and voter base dynamics often created friction within the alliance. As a result, despite securing nearly 40% of the total vote share, the opposition could not convert its numbers into a majority.

AIUDF’s decision to go solo may also be an attempt to reclaim its independent identity and strengthen its bargaining power ahead of any future alliance talks. With the Congress struggling to regain lost ground and the BJP showing no signs of slowing down, AIUDF appears to be recalibrating its strategy, perhaps testing its strength independently while also keeping the door open, if needed.

The 35 seats selected for contest could primarily be in areas where the AIUDF has a loyal support base and a realistic chance of winning. These include seats in Dhubri, Goalpara, Hojai, Nagaon, Karimganj, and parts of Barpeta.

Also Read: Akhil Gogoi Urges Opposition Unity Ahead of 2026 Assam Assembly Elections