New and signboard parties may redraw Electoral chessboard in Assam :: AGP is focusing on Muslim-dominated seats and there are other players such as AAP

New and signboard parties may redraw Electoral chessboard in Assam  

These often happen in many elections. 

While the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led Opposition bloc are the main contenders to power, a number of new parties and smaller outfits are gaining attention in this year's polls in Assam. 

But can they change the scenario ? 

From solo contests to alliance-building and targeted voter outreach, new parties may cause big setbacks in some assembly segments.

Some of these parties include the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas),the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Jai Bharat Party (JBP).

We may not also ignore Raijor Dal. With the Akhil Gogoi-led party becoming fifth partner for the Congress; the six-party opposition bloc now also includes the CPM, CPI(ML-L), All Party Hill Party Leaders and the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP).  APCC president Gaurav Gogoi acknowledged that his party had to make compromises; but he said these have been done in the larger interests of the state. 

Gaurav Gogoi -now CM face with Raijor Dal chief 

Each of these smaller parties has its own plan and is trying to connect with voters in different ways.

For the Aam Aadmi Party, Assam represents both a challenge and an opportunity. It has fielded nominees in Upper Assam, Central Assam and Lower Assam alike. 

The AAP has stayed away from alliance making signaling its bigger intent.

Its leaders feel, going solo may help create a durable organisational base. 

Even the Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress has set eyes on some key seats as the AITC released first list of 17 candidates for Assam Polls.

Assam's elections have been at times influenced by 'external influence'. The AIUDF - once tagged as a Bengali-Muslim party (or a Mia outfit) had done pretty well in the past. This year, it feels marginalised as Muslim voters have shown a growing trend to shift towards Congress.

Some outfits thus wan to play bridge between regional aspirations and external political influence by communties such as Bhojpuris and tea-garden workers.

The Jai Bharat Party and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) reflect such calculated attempts to tap into Assam’s sizeable tea-tribe population.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s remarks hint at a broader vision for the JMM, as he said: “Our discussions with some parties focused on formulating strategies for future elections in Assam". 

The JBP is a new entrant. But nevertheless it's pledge to champion the cause of Adivasi rights has gone down well with the people.

It wants to fight the BJP and also work for securing land rights and promote economic development in the state.

 AAP’s Northeast in-charge Rajesh Sharma says: “We have started working at the ground level as part of the preparations for the Assembly polls... The Congress is the biggest opposition force in Assam. However, it is not a reliable partner. They have betrayed us and rejoiced our ouster in Delhi".

His remarks actually reveal a larger plan that AAP is planning organisational depth. It also claims a membership base of around five lakh people in Assam.

For the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Assam is part of a wider national expansion plan. Led by Chirag Paswan, the party is looking to extend its footprint beyond its traditional strongholds by identifying specific voter segments. 

In the north east, the LJP(Ram Bilas) contested seriously in 2023 assembly elections in Nagaland and has two legislators supporting the NPF-BJP dispensation. 

Interestingly, the LJP says it believes in “Assam First” pitch centred around issues such as employment.

Chirag's push to strengthen organisational structures in Assam indicates that groundwork is already underway. 

It wants to focus on Hindi and Bhojpuri speaking people and labour communities. 

"As Assam moves toward 2026, one obvious question is can Congress wrest power from the BJP. But another question is what will be the future roles of these smaller and regional parties essentially trying to work with various ethnic and tribal communities," says Amalendu Deka, a retired banker in Guwahati.

Assamese women for a socio-religious gathering in Margherita in Upper Assam 

Among the NDA partners; key parties include the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodo People's Front. The AGP was in power in the state twice with P K Mahanta as the chief minister. The party is marginalised and is playing a  second fiddle to the BJP.  

Notably, the AGP is contest 26 seats as part of the seat-sharing agreement with the BJP (89 seats) and the Bodoland People's Front (11 seats).

The AGP has placed a significant focus on Muslim-dominated constituencies, fielding candidates in Sonai, Karimganj South, Algapur-Katlicherra, Mankachar, and Goalpara East. If the plan works, it will harm Congress the most. 

The party president Atul Bora is contesting from Bokakhat and working president Keshab Mahanta from Kaliabor.  

The BPF will field 11 candidates its lone minister in the current Himanta-led government, besides the wife of the party chief. Cabinet minister Charan Boro, who is a two-time MLA, is trying his fortune from the Mazbat constituency. 

BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary’s wife, Mrs Sewli Mohilary, will be making her political debut and contest from the prestigious Kokrajhar seat.

ends