Asom Gana Parishad's Electoral Strategy Faces Major Changes Ahead of Assembly Elections

The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is undergoing a significant transformation in its electoral strategy ahead of the Assembly elections. With a new candidate list that includes 13 leaders from a religious minority community and the exclusion of several sitting MLAs, the party is signaling a shift in its approach. This change raises questions about the party's future direction, especially as it navigates the complexities of alliance politics and seeks to expand its influence in new regions. The implications of these changes are already being felt, with protests emerging at the grassroots level and senior leaders resigning from key positions. Discover how these developments could reshape AGP's political landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 22, 2026, 10:49 IST

Significant Shifts in AGP's Candidate Selection

Guwahati, March 22: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which emerged from the Assam Movement and has historically championed Assamese regionalism, is undergoing a notable transformation in its electoral strategy, as evidenced by its candidate list for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Since its inception in 1985, following the Assam Accord aimed at identifying and removing illegal immigrants, the AGP has successfully formed the government twice, first in 1985 and again in 1996 under Prafulla Kumar Mahanta's leadership.

In a significant departure from its past, the current selection of candidates has resulted in the exclusion of four sitting MLAs and the inclusion of numerous newcomers, notably 13 representatives from a religious minority community, indicating a shift in the party's electoral strategy within its alliance.

This election cycle, the AGP will contest in 26 constituencies as part of a seat-sharing agreement with its NDA partners.

Out of nine sitting MLAs, only five have been re-nominated, while four have been denied tickets, reflecting a significant reshuffle within the party.

The list of 26 candidates prominently features 13 individuals from a religious minority community, many of whom are new to the party.

AGP president Atul Bora will run again from Bokakhat, while working president Keshab Mahanta is set to contest from Kaliabor. Additionally, sitting MLAs Diptimoyee Choudhury (Bongaigaon) and Prithiraj Rava (Tezpur) have also been re-nominated.

Following the delimitation process, former Amguri MLA Pradip Hazarika has been nominated from Sivasagar.

However, several senior figures have been dropped from the candidate list, including Ramendra Narayan Kalita (West Guwahati, now Guwahati Central), Ponakan Baruah (Chabua-Lahowal), Renupoma Rajkhowa (Teok), and Bhavendra Nath Bharali (Dergaon), highlighting the extent of internal changes.

In contrast, several new candidates have been introduced, some just hours after joining the party. These include Jibesh Roy (Bilasipara), Basanta Das (Naoboicha-SC), Khalilur Rahman (Lahorighat), and Sahabuddin Mazumdar (Binnakandi).

Former BJP leader Prakash Chandra Das will contest from Hajo-Sualkuchi, while ex-All India United Democratic Front leaders Karim Uddin Barbhuiya (Sonai) and Zakir Hussain Laskar (Algapur-Katlicherra) have also received tickets shortly after their party switch.

“This trend indicates a growing preference for parachute candidates within the party, where immediate electoral needs are prioritized over long-standing loyalty,” remarked a senior AGP leader from Lower Assam who was seeking a ticket.

This pattern is particularly evident given the seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP-led alliance, which limits AGP's capacity to support incumbents and traditional candidates.

“Moreover, the party's expansion into new regions, especially in the Barak Valley, seems more about accommodating new entrants within the alliance rather than genuine organizational growth,” added party insiders.

The repercussions of these changes are already visible. Senior leader Ramendra Narayan Kalita resigned from his position as general secretary after being denied a ticket, signaling discontent at higher levels.

Grassroots protests have emerged in various constituencies, although the party views these as typical outcomes of alliance politics.

This situation is particularly pronounced in Upper Assam, where AGP's diminished presence under the seat-sharing deal has led to dissatisfaction among local units in districts like Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.

Beyond the immediate electoral consequences, these developments raise broader political questions. For a party that originated from a mass movement focused on identity and illegal immigration, and has historically represented Assamese regionalism, the increasing dependence on leaders with limited organizational ties, along with a shifting social composition, suggests a significant change in its political direction.