Guwahati, March 2 — An effort to unite non-BJP parties in Assam ahead of next year’s assembly elections has faced significant setbacks, with key figures within the state’s Congress party signaling the possibility of contesting independently in 2026.
The situation escalated following a Facebook post by Bhupen Kumar Borah, the state Congress president, who hinted at the party's potential solo bid. This, coupled with Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi’s sudden exit from a crucial opposition meeting, has raised questions about the viability of an anti-BJP alliance in the state.
On Saturday evening, representatives from various opposition parties, including Congress, Left parties, Raijor Dal, and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), gathered at a resort in Sonapur, located on the outskirts of Guwahati. The meeting was convened by prominent citizens in a bid to unite these parties for a collective challenge against the ruling BJP in the upcoming elections.
However, the meeting was marred by Bordoloi's abrupt departure, which saw him leave the gathering without offering any explanation. His sudden exit raised eyebrows among the attendees, leaving some wondering if the discussions had reached an impasse.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Borah, who remained at the meeting, refrained from commenting on the specifics of the talks. When asked about the deliberations, he stated that the organizers would provide further details. However, on Sunday morning, Borah’s cryptic social media post suggested growing divisions. He shared a couplet from Rabindranath Tagore’s iconic song "Ekla Cholo Re" ("Walk Alone"), with a caption that read: "Pre-poll/post-poll." The reference to "walking alone" has since fueled speculation about the Congress party’s future strategy.
Borah, who could not be reached for comment on his post, has left the door open for a potential solo campaign, despite the initial push for unity.
Meanwhile, prominent figures involved in organizing the meeting sought to downplay the tensions. Harekrishna Deka, a former DGP and one of the meeting's organizers, emphasized that despite some disagreements, a decision had been made for all non-BJP parties to unite for the greater good. “There were discussions and arguments. But in the end, the decision was that for the greater cause, all non-BJP parties will come together,” Deka stated.
Lurinjyoti Gogoi, the AJP president, echoed similar sentiments, asserting that while emotions and discussions were high, the parties had agreed to move forward with a unified front. “In a democracy, there are arguments. The MP left due to personal reasons. The final decision was that we will take forward our united stand,” Gogoi remarked.
Akhil Gogoi, the leader of Raijor Dal, also maintained that the meeting concluded with a unanimous decision for unity. "No one left in anger. There were arguments. But in the end, the decision was unanimous," he said.
This marks the latest chapter in the ongoing efforts to form a cohesive opposition in Assam, where previous attempts have faltered. The 16-party alliance formed ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections fell apart during last year’s bypolls, largely due to disagreements over seat-sharing. The opposition’s Asom Sonmilito Morcha (ASOM), which contested the bypolls without Congress, was swept aside by the BJP, securing all five contested seats.
As the 2026 state assembly elections approach, the future of a united opposition in Assam remains uncertain, with internal divisions threatening to derail any potential alliance.
The situation escalated following a Facebook post by Bhupen Kumar Borah, the state Congress president, who hinted at the party's potential solo bid. This, coupled with Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi’s sudden exit from a crucial opposition meeting, has raised questions about the viability of an anti-BJP alliance in the state.
On Saturday evening, representatives from various opposition parties, including Congress, Left parties, Raijor Dal, and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), gathered at a resort in Sonapur, located on the outskirts of Guwahati. The meeting was convened by prominent citizens in a bid to unite these parties for a collective challenge against the ruling BJP in the upcoming elections.
However, the meeting was marred by Bordoloi's abrupt departure, which saw him leave the gathering without offering any explanation. His sudden exit raised eyebrows among the attendees, leaving some wondering if the discussions had reached an impasse.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Borah, who remained at the meeting, refrained from commenting on the specifics of the talks. When asked about the deliberations, he stated that the organizers would provide further details. However, on Sunday morning, Borah’s cryptic social media post suggested growing divisions. He shared a couplet from Rabindranath Tagore’s iconic song "Ekla Cholo Re" ("Walk Alone"), with a caption that read: "Pre-poll/post-poll." The reference to "walking alone" has since fueled speculation about the Congress party’s future strategy.
Borah, who could not be reached for comment on his post, has left the door open for a potential solo campaign, despite the initial push for unity.
Meanwhile, prominent figures involved in organizing the meeting sought to downplay the tensions. Harekrishna Deka, a former DGP and one of the meeting's organizers, emphasized that despite some disagreements, a decision had been made for all non-BJP parties to unite for the greater good. “There were discussions and arguments. But in the end, the decision was that for the greater cause, all non-BJP parties will come together,” Deka stated.
Lurinjyoti Gogoi, the AJP president, echoed similar sentiments, asserting that while emotions and discussions were high, the parties had agreed to move forward with a unified front. “In a democracy, there are arguments. The MP left due to personal reasons. The final decision was that we will take forward our united stand,” Gogoi remarked.
Akhil Gogoi, the leader of Raijor Dal, also maintained that the meeting concluded with a unanimous decision for unity. "No one left in anger. There were arguments. But in the end, the decision was unanimous," he said.
This marks the latest chapter in the ongoing efforts to form a cohesive opposition in Assam, where previous attempts have faltered. The 16-party alliance formed ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections fell apart during last year’s bypolls, largely due to disagreements over seat-sharing. The opposition’s Asom Sonmilito Morcha (ASOM), which contested the bypolls without Congress, was swept aside by the BJP, securing all five contested seats.
As the 2026 state assembly elections approach, the future of a united opposition in Assam remains uncertain, with internal divisions threatening to derail any potential alliance.
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