Intense Political Showdown in Assam's Gauripur Ahead of 2026 Elections
Gauripur's Political Landscape
Dhubri, March 22: The 7-Gauripur Legislative Assembly Constituency in Assam's Dhubri district is becoming a focal point of interest as the 2026 Assembly elections approach. This constituency is witnessing a unique triangular contest involving two incumbent MLAs and a political successor supported by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
With a voter base of 310,619 spread across 384 polling stations, Gauripur holds significant political weight. The dynamics of shifting alliances and recent delimitation have set the stage for an intriguing electoral battle.
Leading the charge is Nizanur Rahman, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) leader and current MLA, who is vying for a third consecutive term. After a setback in 2011, Rahman secured victories in 2016 and 2021, establishing himself as a key player in the constituency.
In the previous election, he garnered 112,194 votes, defeating Banendra Kumar Mushahary of the Bodoland People’s Front by a substantial margin of 48,845 votes.
Rahman has been renominated by the AIUDF in its initial candidate list released on March 9. He enters the election with a robust grassroots network and the benefits of incumbency. However, the electoral landscape is more intricate this time, with two strong contenders in the mix.
The Congress party has nominated Abdus Sobahan Ali Sarkar, the sitting MLA from the adjacent Golakganj constituency. Sarkar, who triumphed in 2021 against BJP's Ashwini Roy Sarkar after a previous defeat in 2016, has shifted to Gauripur following the delimitation process.
This situation creates a rare scenario where two sitting legislators from neighboring constituencies are now direct competitors. While Sarkar brings valuable legislative experience and a history of political resilience, he must navigate the challenges of campaigning in a new area against a well-established rival.
Adding to the competition is Mehtabul Haque, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) candidate running under the NDA banner. As part of the seat-sharing agreement, Gauripur is within AGP's allocation, making Haque the official candidate for the alliance.
Mehtabul comes from a notable political lineage as the son of former minister Md. Mohibul Haque, who previously represented Gauripur and served in the Assam Cabinet. His candidacy signifies a continuation of his family's political legacy, now bolstered by the NDA's organizational strength.
Furthermore, Haque's entry aligns with a broader strategy, as the AGP aims to field multiple candidates from minority communities to broaden its appeal in such constituencies.
Additionally, the race may become even more complicated with Abul Miya from Raijor Dal entering the contest after being denied a ticket from Congress. He is framing his campaign as a 'friendly contest,' which could impact the distribution of votes in this closely contested election.