BJP Releases 88 Candidates for Assam Polls 2026, Himanta to Contest from Jalukbari Again

GUWAHATI-  The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 19, 2026, released its first list of 88 candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, signalling an early start to its electoral campaign. The list, approved by the party’s Central Election Committee, includes several sitting MLAs, senior leaders, and a mix of new entrants.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been fielded once again from the Jalukbari constituency, a seat he has represented multiple times. Senior leader Pradyut Bordoloi, who recently joined the BJP, has been nominated from the Dispur constituency, indicating the party’s attempt to integrate defectors into key electoral positions.

Among other prominent candidates, Ashwini Ray Sarkar has been fielded from Golakganj, Uttam Prasad from Dhubri, and Madhavi Das from Birsing-Jarua. In Goalpara West (ST), the party has nominated Pabitra Rabha, while Tankeshwar Rabha will contest from Dudhnai (ST).

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The list also includes Bhupen Roy from Abhayapuri, Arup Kumar Dey from Bijni, and Ranjeet Kumar Dass from Bhowanipur-Sorbhog. In Mandia, Badal Chandra Arya has been nominated, while Jyostna Kalita will contest from Chamaria. Raju Mech has been fielded from Boko-Chaygaon (ST).

In the Kamrup region, Himanshu Shekhar Baishya will contest from Palasbari, Bhabesh Kalita from Rangia, and Diganta Kalita from Kamalpur. The Dispur seat has been allotted to Pradyut Bordoloi, while Diplu Ranjan Sarmah will contest from New Guwahati. Vijay Kumar Gupta has been nominated from Guwahati Central.

Further, Narayan Deka (Barkhetri), Jayanta Malla Baruah (Nalbari), and Chandramohan Patowary (Tihu) have been fielded in key constituencies. In Tamulpur (ST), Biswajit Daimary is the BJP candidate, while Victor Kumar Das will contest from Goreswar.

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The party has also retained several leaders in Upper Assam. Ranoj Pegu will contest from Dhemaji (ST), Bhuvan Pegu from Jonai (ST), and Bhaskar Sharma from Margherita. In Dibrugarh, Prasanta Phukan has been nominated, while Rameswar Teli will contest from Duliajan.

Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal is not listed in this phase, indicating that additional lists may follow. However, key regional figures such as Ajanta Neog (Golaghat), Mridul Kumar Dutta (Dergaon), and Biswajit Phukan (Sarupathar) have been included.

In Barak Valley, Kaushik Rai will contest from Lakhipur, Rajdeep Goala from Udharbond, and Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha from Katigorah. Rajdeep Roy has been fielded from Silchar, while Subrata Bhattacharjee will contest from Karimganj North.

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The list reflects the BJP’s strategy of balancing continuity with new entrants, while also accommodating recent political shifts. The inclusion of leaders who have recently switched parties suggests a pragmatic approach aimed at consolidating electoral strength across regions.

With the announcement of 88 candidates in the first phase, the BJP has set the stage for an early and aggressive campaign, even as opposition parties are yet to finalise their own candidate lists.