Women Voters in Assam: A Closer Look at Political Representation
Women Voters and Political Dynamics in Assam
Guwahati, March 25: Assam boasts over 1.24 crore female voters, accounting for nearly half of its total electorate of approximately 2.49 crore. Notably, women have outperformed men in voter turnout during the last two Assembly elections, achieving 82.42% in 2021 and 84.72% in 2016.
Despite this significant participation, women leaders in the state often find themselves sidelined by political parties.
A prime example is Nandita Gorlosa, who was unexpectedly omitted from the BJP's candidate list despite her role as a sitting Cabinet Minister and MLA from Haflong. She subsequently joined the Congress to remain in contention.
In Kokrajhar, the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) has replaced veteran politician Pramila Rani Brahma with Sewli Mohilary, despite Brahma's public wish to contest her final election.
This situation illustrates the ongoing trend of experienced female politicians being pushed out rather than retained.
The current election cycle has once again underscored the fragile nature of women's political careers in Assam.
Angoorlata Deka, once seen as a rising star for the BJP after her 2016 victory, has not returned to the electoral scene since losing to Congress’ Sibamoni Bora in 2021.
Similarly, Ankita Dutta, daughter of former APCC president Anjan Dutta, faces uncertainty in her political journey despite her lineage and party changes.
There are a few exceptions, such as Ajanta Neog, a senior BJP leader and Finance Minister, who is pursuing her sixth consecutive term and is recognized as the longest-serving female legislator in Assam.
Other notable figures like Bijoya Chakravarty and Sushmita Dev have managed to establish long-lasting and impactful careers, but these instances are rare in a political landscape where many women struggle for continuity.
Dr. Madhurima Goswami, Head of the Chandraprabha Saikiani Centre for Women Studies at Tezpur University, remarked, “The trajectories of women in politics starkly contrast with those of their male counterparts. We have cultivated a political culture that often limits women's autonomy in decision-making. Tokenism prevails, celebrating the achievements of a few prominent politicians' wives as representative of women's success, which is misleading.”
Moreover, the electoral successes of former Deputy Speaker and AGP MLA Renupoma Rajkhowa over the decades did not shield her from being deemed expendable this election cycle.
Bismita Gogoi, a former minister during Tarun Gogoi's tenure, has had to switch parties in recent years to maintain her political relevance after a lengthy hiatus.
Ranee Narah, a former Union Minister of State, also exemplifies this troubling trend.
The statistics for the upcoming 2026 elections highlight this ongoing structural imbalance. The Congress has nominated 14 women candidates, while the BJP has selected seven. The AIUDF has increased its representation to two, but regional parties like AGP and BPF have reduced their female candidates to just one each.
In the previous Assembly election in 2021, a total of 76 women candidates were fielded across various political parties and independent categories, yet only six secured seats in the 126-member Assembly. In 2016, eight out of 91 candidates were elected.
Observers point to deeper systemic issues within party structures. Women leaders are often utilized as visible campaign figures and symbols of inclusivity, yet they frequently lack the necessary long-term organizational support or electoral security.
The upcoming 2026 elections reaffirm a persistent reality in Assam's political landscape: while women leaders may be visible and celebrated, their security remains tenuous.
For every Ajanta Neog who has built a lasting career, there are many others like Angoorlata, Ankita, Bismita, and Nandita, whose political paths are influenced as much by party strategies as by the will of the electorate.