Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Arrive in Guwahati; Congress Gears Up for 2026 Assam Battle

Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge arrived in Guwahati on Wednesday morning, marking the beginning of a high-stakes day as the party prepares to gear up for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.

Touching down at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBI) around 10:30 AM, the two senior leaders were welcomed by Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi, along with senior leaders including former presidents, MLAs, and MPs.

The party also arranged traditional dance performances at the airport to give a colourful and culturally rich welcome to the visiting leaders.

As per the tentative schedule, Kharge and Gandhi are scheduled to hold several key meetings with party leaders and representatives. Their first stop will be a Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting with the top leadership of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), where strategy and planning are expected to be at the centre of discussions.

Following that, they are set to meet with MPs, MLAs, district presidents, and leaders of the Congress’ various wings. These closed-door sessions are aimed at energising the party’s grassroots machinery and preparing for an all-out campaign in the months to come.

The two leaders will also interact with members of leading social and cultural organisations in Assam  a move meant to connect with voices from civil society.

Later in the day, the spotlight will shift to Chaygaon, where a massive Congress workers’ rally is scheduled. Both leaders are expected to address the gathering, with thousands of supporters from Block Congress Committees and surrounding areas anticipated to attend. The rally is expected to serve as a major morale booster for the party’s local units and as a clear signal that Congress is gearing up to take on the BJP with full force.

The speeches at the rally are likely to touch on a range of issues, from rising prices and unemployment to what the party calls “misrule” by the BJP governments in both Assam and Delhi.

It is worth mentioning that just yesterday, the Guwahati Police issued an order banning all rallies, processions, and public gatherings that block roads or cause traffic disruptions. The directive was put in place to reduce congestion and avoid delays to emergency services, as the city has seen frequent traffic jams during public events.

While the Congress rally is planned outside city limits, the timing of the order is interesting. Some feel it adds pressure to political programmes, especially when top national leaders are in town. Despite that, the mood inside Congress circles is upbeat. The visit by Kharge and Gandhi is being seen as a morale booster for workers who have long awaited signs of direct support from the high command.

Notably, this visit also comes soon after a revamp of the state Congress leadership, a sign that the high command is ready to take bold steps and push for a revival in a state where the party once dominated.

Both the Congress leaders are expected to return to LGBI airport in the evening and fly out after wrapping up their one-day tour. 

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi & Kharge In Assam: What is On the Plan