Congress Triumphs in Algapur-Katlicherra: A Political Shake-Up in Assam
Major Upset in Hailakandi District
Congress candidate winner from Algapur-Katlicherra LAC, Zubair Anam Mazumder (centre) with defeated and former MLA Nizam Uddin Chowdhury (beside Anam) (Photo: ZubaiAnam/Meta)
Hailakandi, May 6: On May 4, the NDA secured a significant victory in Assam, but a surprising twist occurred in the Hailakandi district, where three incumbent MLAs were ousted in a single constituency.
The newly established Algapur-Katlicherra seat became a political graveyard for three prominent figures from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF): Zakir Hussain Laskar, Nijam Uddin Chowdhury, and Suzam Uddin Laskar. Despite their previous influence, they could not maintain their foothold in the region.
These politicians had previously represented the constituencies of Hailakandi, Algapur, and Katlicherra, but the recent redistricting significantly changed the electoral landscape, undermining their established support.
Emerging victorious was Congress candidate Zubair Anam Mazumdar, a 35-year-old architect-turned-politician and the state Youth Congress president, who garnered an impressive 145,420 votes.
Mazumdar defeated AGP candidate and sitting Hailakandi MLA Zakir Hussain Laskar by a remarkable margin of 105,269 votes, showcasing both his strong support and the disintegration of the opposition.
The other two former MLAs, who ran as independents after parting ways with AIUDF, failed to make a significant impact. Chowdhury received only 3,383 votes, while Laskar managed 29,051 votes, with NOTA attracting 1,537 votes.
Chowdhury accepted the outcome with grace, stating, “The people have the last say in a democracy,” and offered his support to the newly elected MLA. Laskar also expressed gratitude to his supporters.
Following his victory, Mazumdar visited Chowdhury’s home to seek collaboration from his former opponents and to thank voters for their overwhelming support.
All three leaders had previously won their seats on AIUDF tickets during the 2021 Assembly elections but were suspended by party leader Badruddin Ajmal due to alleged anti-party activities, which significantly shifted the political dynamics in the district ahead of the 2026 elections.
Leading up to the election, Laskar switched allegiance to the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), an NDA ally, while the other two contested independently, resulting in a fragmented electoral battle.
Political analysts suggest that the outcome reflects a combination of demographic changes due to delimitation and the fragmentation of votes among former power players.
Dr. Amalendu Nag, a former Head of the Political Science department at Srikishan Sarda College, noted that the new constituency altered the voter demographics and weakened the traditional strongholds of the incumbents.
“With three sitting MLAs in the race, their overlapping influence likely divided votes that could have otherwise consolidated,” he explained, adding that newly drawn constituencies often favor candidates who present a “fresh appeal.”
This fresh appeal evidently worked in Mazumdar’s favor. Having started his political journey with the NSUI, the young Congress leader conducted a vigorous campaign that resonated well with voters in the reconfigured constituency.
Even in defeat, the election showcased moments of political civility. The results from Algapur-Katlicherra underscored how delimitation and divided loyalties can swiftly dismantle established political strongholds in Assam's changing electoral environment.