Congress Faces Setback in Assam Elections as Multiple Nominations Rejected

The Congress party in Assam has encountered a significant hurdle as multiple nominations were rejected during the election commission's scrutiny. Key candidates, including Bidisha Niyog from Jalukbari, faced disqualification, raising concerns about the party's prospects in crucial constituencies. Despite this setback, Nandita Garloasa's nomination from Haflong was accepted, adding a new dimension to the electoral landscape. With the elections approaching on April 9, the party must navigate these challenges while addressing the reasons behind the rejections. The situation remains dynamic as the deadline for withdrawing nominations looms.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 24, 2026, 19:56 IST

Initial Setback for Congress in Assam Elections

On Tuesday, the Indian Election Commission's scrutiny of nominations resulted in several rejections, marking an early setback for the Congress party in Assam. Among the disqualified candidates is Bidisha Niyog, who was contesting from the politically significant Jalukbari constituency, where Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking re-election. This rejection poses an immediate challenge for the party in one of the state's key electoral regions.

Additional Nominations Rejected

Two more Congress candidates, Anand Narah from Dhakuakhana and Nirmal Langthasa from Haflong, also faced disqualification. Election officials have confirmed that a total of 18 nomination papers from various parties have been rejected during the verification process, which is still ongoing. However, there is a glimmer of hope for Congress as Nandita Garloasa's nomination from Haflong has been accepted. Garloasa recently joined the party, adding a new dynamic to the electoral contest in this hilly region.

Unclear Reasons for Rejections

Officials have yet to disclose the specific reasons behind the disqualifications, leading to speculation about procedural errors or documentation issues. The verification stage is a crucial part of the electoral process, where even minor discrepancies can lead to disqualification. Nirmal Langthasa's nomination from Haflong has been rejected, but Nandita Garloasa's candidacy from the same seat has been approved.

Garloasa's Shift to Congress

Minister Garloasa joined Congress after not receiving a ticket from the BJP and submitted her nomination the very next day. Initially, the party had nominated its state unit general secretary, Nirmal Langthasa, for this seat, but he agreed to let Garloasa take the ticket in the 'public interest.' Over 815 candidates have filed a total of 1,389 nomination papers for the 126 seats in the state assembly elections, with many candidates submitting multiple sets of papers. The elections are scheduled for April 9, with vote counting set for May 4. The deadline for withdrawing candidacies is March 26.