Gaurav Gogoi to fight from Jorhat as Congress announces 42 candidates for Assam polls
Guwahati: The Congress party on Tuesday evening released its first list of candidates for 42 constituencies for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, setting the stage for an early campaign push ahead of the 2026 polls.
Among the key names in the list is Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi, who will contest from the Jorhat Assembly constituency. Gogoi currently represents the Jorhat Lok Sabha seat in Parliament and serves as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The list reflects a deliberate mix of experienced leaders, former ministers, youth faces, and representatives from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), signalling the party’s attempt to balance regional representation with social inclusivity.
Prominent names in the list include Ripun Bora from Barchalla, Debabrata Saikia from Nazira, and Mira Borthakur Goswami from Dispur.
In Lower Assam, the nominations of Ashok Kumar Sarma from Nalbari, Diganta Barman from Barkhetri, and Satyabrat Kalita from Kamalpur indicate a renewed focus on constituencies where the Congress aims to revive its traditional support base.
The party has also fielded the sons of two senior Congress leaders. Rakibul Hussain’s son, Tanzil Hussain, will contest from Samaguri, while Pradyut Bordoloi’s son, Prateek Bordoloi, has been nominated from Margherita.
Significant emphasis has been placed on reserved constituencies. The party has nominated Ramen Singh Rabha in Boko-Chaygaon (ST), Raj Kumar Medak in Jonai (ST), Indraneel Pegu in Majuli (ST), Ratan Engti in Bokajan (ST), Augustine Enghee in Rongkhang (ST), Mahananda Sarkar in Barpeta (SC), and Suruchi Roy in Ramkrishna Nagar (SC).
In the Barak Valley, Congress has fielded Ajit Singh from Udharbond, Abhijit Paul from Silchar, Aminul Haque Laskar from Sonai, and Jakaria Ahmed from Karimganj North, indicating a comprehensive contest strategy in southern Assam.
The list also reflects an effort to enhance women’s representation. Women candidates include Nandita Das from Hajo-Sualkuchi, Mira Borthakur Goswami from Dispur, Pallabi Saikia Gogoi from Teok, Pranati Phukan from Naharkatia, and Suruchi Roy from Ramkrishna Nagar.
The inclusion of both veteran leaders and relatively newer faces suggests that the Congress is attempting organisational consolidation while projecting renewal ahead of what is expected to be a high-stakes electoral battle in 2026.
The list was released by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal. With this announcement, the party has formally launched its campaign across Upper Assam, Lower Assam, Central Assam, and the Barak Valley, aiming to rebuild momentum and present a structured challenge in the forthcoming Assembly elections.