By Mrinal Talukdar
Guwahati, May 25, 2025 — Assam’s 2026 Assembly elections are veering toward a blockbuster contest, with the Jorhat constituency likely to become the epicenter of a high-voltage political showdown between Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.
In a dramatic twist to Assam’s political landscape, both leaders are eyeing the same seat—Jorhat—a BJP urban stronghold that could now witness one of the fiercest electoral duels in recent memory. The BJP has already signaled Himanta’s possible candidacy from Jorhat, with the Chief Minister himself saying he will contest from the seat “if the party wants.” The party’s recent extended executive meet in Jorhat added more weight to the speculation.
Now, Congress is preparing its counter-strike.
With strong indications that Gaurav Gogoi will soon be declared the next president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and projected as the party’s chief ministerial face, senior party leaders confirm that he is “seriously considering” contesting from Jorhat to directly take on the CM.
Political Chessboard Resets
The proposed face-off is more than a battle of ballots—it’s a battle of narratives. Gogoi, currently MP from Jorhat and a prominent national voice in Parliament, has emerged as the Congress’ most credible challenger to the BJP in Assam. His recent aggressive stance against the state government has only reinforced that perception.
The turning point came with BJP’s stunning allegation that Gogoi had links to Pakistan’s ISI—a charge widely dismissed by the Congress as “fabricated and desperate.” A press note released by former APCC chief Ripun Bora accused CM Sarma of “baseless attacks to sabotage Gogoi’s rising graph.”
Congress Gambles Big
Inside Congress circles, the buzz is unmistakable—Gaurav Gogoi will not only take over as APCC chief from Bhupen Bora but will also be fielded from Jorhat to challenge Sarma head-on. “We want to change the script. If the CM wants a one-on-one, we are ready,” said a senior Congress strategist.
The party’s internal narrative now revolves around “youth, credibility, and change,” and Gogoi, with his articulate presence and clean image, is being positioned as the face of that transformation.
BJP’s Early Strike
Sarma’s aggressive posturing, insiders believe, is aimed at unsettling the Congress high command before Gogoi’s appointment is finalized. BJP spokespersons have amplified the ISI accusation, triggering widespread political debate and backlash from the Congress.
“They know who their real opponent is. Otherwise, why this much firepower against just an MP?” a Congress functionary noted wryly.
Presidential-Style Politics in Assam
The stakes are enormous. With both parties locking horns over personalities, Assam’s 2026 election is increasingly turning into a presidential-style contest. In many ways, Jorhat is set to become Assam’s Bellary—a reference to the Sonia Gandhi vs. Sushma Swaraj battle of 1999.
Should Gogoi contest from Jorhat, it would be a strategic attempt to breach BJP’s eastern bastion while signaling Congress’ intent to reclaim urban credibility.
What to Watch Next
- Official declaration of Gaurav Gogoi as APCC president
- Formal announcement of his candidature from Jorhat
- BJP’s response strategy—Continue Pakistan attack or shifting seats?
Meanwhile in private BJP leaders from Jorhat admitting that continuous attack on Gaurav over his Pakistan link has been counterproductive in the urban and educated Jorhat constituency.
As Assam braces for the 2026 polls, all eyes are now on Jorhat. This is no longer just another constituency. It’s ground zero of a battle between two towering political figures—and only one will walk away victorious.
If Gaurav contents from Jorhat, Himanta Biswa Sharma will have to contest, otherwise it will be complete loss of face for him and party. But that will expose him to a constituency which has traditionally been not so right wing.