Seat-Sharing Talks Between Congress and Raijor Dal Conclude Without Agreement

In a recent meeting in Guwahati, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and Raijor Dal engaged in lengthy discussions regarding seat-sharing for the upcoming elections. However, the talks ended without a resolution, as both parties remain divided over the number of constituencies. Raijor Dal's Akhil Gogoi revealed that while Congress proposed 13 seats, his party is seeking 15. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma commented on the potential impact of a late alliance, suggesting it would be minimal. As the elections approach, Raijor Dal is actively pursuing candidates, reflecting a surge in political activity within the party.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 19, 2026, 18:51 IST

Discussions End Without Consensus

On March 19 in Guwahati, discussions lasting nearly five hours between the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and Raijor Dal concluded without reaching a consensus on seat-sharing, as disagreements over the number of constituencies remained unresolved.

Akhil Gogoi, the leader of Raijor Dal, stated that the Congress party proposed 13 seats, while his party is seeking 15.

He mentioned that the constituencies of Naboisa and Dhemaji are still points of contention. "The meeting has wrapped up without a decision for now," he remarked.

Gogoi further noted that APCC president Gaurav Gogoi plans to escalate the issue to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) for additional discussions.

"Gaurav Gogoi will update us regarding the 13-seat offer via a phone call. We are also looking for clarification on the two remaining constituencies," he added.

In a related note, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma minimized the likelihood of a late alliance, suggesting it would have minimal electoral significance.

"I doubt that even if an alliance is formed at this stage, it will carry much weight. With elections just 20 days away and taking place in a single phase, coordination will be challenging. Nonetheless, I wish Congress well, as we also desire a robust opposition," Sarma stated during a press conference in Guwahati.

Earlier, on March 15, Raijor Dal officially concluded its alliance negotiations with Congress and began reaching out to potential candidates, conducting sessions to finalize its nominees.

Sources revealed that numerous aspirants from across Assam have shown significant interest, indicating increased political engagement within the regional party as elections approach.

Prior to this, on March 4, Raijor Dal had unveiled its first list of 11 candidates for the upcoming assembly polls, announced in Guwahati by the party’s executive president Bhasko D Saikia after discussions by its election committee.