Seat-Sharing Disputes May Hinder Congress's Leader of Opposition Bid in Assam

As Assam gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has raised alarms about the potential impact of seat-sharing disputes among opposition parties on Congress's ability to secure the Leader of the Opposition position. With Congress needing at least 24 seats to claim this role, Sarma argues that internal conflicts and negotiations may leave them short. The political landscape is shifting, with ongoing discussions between Congress and AJP, while negotiations with Raijor Dal remain stalled. As the ruling BJP finalizes its candidate selection, the battle for the LoP post intensifies, setting the stage for a competitive electoral season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 26, 2026, 16:13 IST

Political Landscape in Assam Ahead of Elections

Guwahati, Feb 26: On Thursday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concerns that the ongoing disputes over seat-sharing among opposition parties could undermine the Congress's chances of claiming the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) position in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

In Assam's 126-member Assembly, a party must secure at least 24 seats to lay claim to the LoP role. Sarma suggested that the current negotiations among opposition factions might leave Congress falling short of this requirement.

“The conflict among opposition parties, particularly regarding the 22 seats predominantly occupied by the miya Muslim community, is significant. For example, Congress is allocating four seats to Raijor Dal and one to AJP. In Parbatjhora, Hagrama Mohilary is expected to win, which means Congress could potentially lose six seats. This would leave them with only 16 seats, while they need 24 to claim the LoP position,” Sarma explained.

He further noted that to close this gap, Congress would need to win at least six seats in areas where indigenous communities are in the majority, a challenge he deemed formidable given the current political climate.

“Even if Raijor Dal and AJP appeal to the Speaker, Congress will struggle to secure the LoP post as they require 24 seats under their banner,” he asserted.

These comments come as reports indicate progress in seat-sharing discussions between Congress and the Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP), while talks with Raijor Dal remain stalled.

On Wednesday, Gaurav Gogoi, the chief of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), mentioned that the inclusion of former Congress members into Raijor Dal has complicated the negotiations.

Regarding the BJP's election preparations, Sarma stated that the party has concluded internal elections at the block and constituency levels to identify potential candidates.

He mentioned, “This process will now advance to the State Election Committee for further discussions.”

“Our preparations are progressing smoothly. However, we have seen single candidates emerging for many seats,” the Chief Minister added, indicating that the ruling party is advancing with its candidate selection strategy while the opposition struggles with alliance dynamics.

As seat-sharing discussions continue to evolve and electoral strategies sharpen, the competition for seats and the LoP position is expected to escalate as the elections approach.