In a major political reshuffle ahead of the Assam Assembly Elections 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party has released its list of 88 candidates, dropping 18 sitting MLAs and several prominent leaders in a bold move aimed at revamping its electoral strategy.
Big Names Missing from List
The party’s decision has raised eyebrows as several key leaders have been denied tickets. Among the notable exclusions are cabinet minister Nandita Gorlosa, former state BJP president Siddhartha Bhattacharyya, and Deputy Speaker Numal Momin. Their absence signals a clear shift towards restructuring within the party ranks.
Surprise Entry for Pradyut Bordoloi
In a surprising move, Pradyut Bordoloi, who joined the BJP from the Congress just a day earlier, has been given a ticket from the Dispur constituency. He replaces sitting MLA Atul Bora, highlighting the party’s willingness to make quick strategic changes.
Several Sitting MLAs Dropped
The BJP has also denied tickets to multiple sitting MLAs, including Pramod Borthakur, Hemanga Thakuria, Bidya Sing Engleng, Dar Sing Ronghang, Rupsing Teron, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Diganta Ghatowal, Dipanyan Chakraborty, Ajay Kumar Ray, Ganesh Limbu, and Amiya Kumar Bhuyan. This move indicates a strong push for fresh candidates and anti-incumbency management.
Push for Women Representation
The new list reflects a conscious effort to boost women’s participation. Along with senior leader Ajanta Neog, the party has fielded several new women candidates such as Nilima Devi, Niso Terangpi, Rupali Langthasa, Madhavi Das, and Jyotishna Kalita from different constituencies.
Alliance Seat Sharing Finalised
Out of the total 126 seats in the Assam Assembly, the BJP will contest 88 seats. It has left 26 seats for its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and 15 seats for the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) as part of the NDA alliance arrangement.
Strategy Ahead of Elections
The large-scale reshuffle suggests that the BJP is focusing on balancing experience with new faces while addressing anti-incumbency. With elections scheduled for April 9, the party is aiming to strengthen its position and retain power in the northeastern state.
As political equations shift and candidate lists take shape, the Assam Assembly elections are set to witness an intense battle with fresh faces and changing strategies at the forefront.
