BJP-Led NDA to Contest All 3 Assam Rajya Sabha Seats in April 2026, Confident of Winning At Least Two
Guwahati, January 10, 2026 — The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has announced plans to field candidates for all three Rajya Sabha seats from Assam set to fall vacant in April 2026. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made the declaration during a press conference on Friday, expressing strong confidence in securing at least two seats, with a strong possibility of clinching the third.
The three seats are currently held by BJP MPs Bhubaneswar Kalita and Rameswar Teli, along with Independent MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan. All three terms are scheduled to end in April, paving the way for fresh elections to the Upper House.
“The BJP, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and our united front will contest all three seats,” CM Sarma stated. “We are certain of winning two seats. For the third, we may win or it could be a close contest, depending on the final arithmetic.”
The Chief Minister highlighted that in the previous election cycle, the NDA had refrained from fielding a candidate against Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, trusting him to remain “neutral and perform good work.” However, he accused Bhuyan of misusing his Rajya Sabha MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) funds, remarking, “But what he did with his Rajya Sabha MPLADS funds is something we all know.” (Note: Bhuyan has faced questioning and allegations related to MPLADS fund irregularities in previous years.)
The ruling NDA enjoys a comfortable majority in the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly, which elects Rajya Sabha members from the state. The BJP holds 64 seats, while its allies — AGP (9), United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) (7), and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) (3) — bolster the coalition’s strength.
In contrast, the opposition includes Congress (26 seats), All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) (15), CPI(M) (1), and 1 Independent MLA.
With the NDA’s dominant position in the Assembly, political observers expect the coalition to have a significant edge in the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls. The announcement signals an aggressive strategy by the ruling alliance ahead of the high-stakes 2026 Assam Assembly elections.
The opposition, including the AIUDF, has already begun staking claims, with reports indicating potential united efforts to challenge the NDA for at least one seat.
Stay tuned for updates on candidate announcements and the official election schedule from the Election Commission.
