Assam Assembly Elections 2026: Congress to Release First Candidate List in First Week of March, Priyanka Gandhi Visits for Screening
The Assam Assembly Elections 2026 are heating up, with the Indian National Congress (INC) accelerating its preparations amid internal challenges and high stakes. The party aims to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in the state, which has held power since 2016 under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Assam Legislative Assembly elections are expected in March–April 2026, with the current term ending in May 2026. The 126-member house will see intense contestation, and early moves by major parties like Congress are crucial for momentum.
In a significant development, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi announced that the first list of Congress candidates for the Assam Assembly Elections 2026 is expected to be released within the first week of March. This announcement came during a press conference at Rajiv Bhavan in Guwahati on February 18, 2026, signaling intensified election preparations despite recent setbacks, including the resignation of former APCC president Bhupen Borah.
Gaurav Gogoi emphasized that the party is pushing to complete the screening process swiftly. Regular consultations with the central leadership have been ongoing, with advice to finalize and release the first phase candidate list by the end of February or, at the latest, in the first week of March. He stated that if the initial list is unveiled by month’s end, the party could announce candidates for nearly 80 seats early in March. This phased approach aims to cover a substantial portion of the 126 assembly constituencies, giving Congress workers and supporters clarity on the battle lines ahead.
A key highlight is the arrival of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, AICC General Secretary and chairperson of the Congress screening committee for Assam. She is scheduled to visit the state on Thursday (February 19, 2026) for a two-day intensive programme focused on organizational matters and candidate finalization. According to AICC leader Jitendra Singh, who oversees Assam affairs, Priyanka Gandhi will land at Guwahati airport at 10 a.m. She will head straight to the historic Kamakhya Temple for darshan and blessings from Maa Kamakhya, a symbolic gesture underscoring cultural connect in the state.
Post-temple visit, she will proceed to Rajiv Bhavan, the APCC headquarters, where she will engage in marathon meetings from 11 a.m. until midnight. These sessions will involve interactions with party workers, leaders at various levels—including block presidents, district representatives, and frontline activists—and members of the screening committee. The focus remains strictly internal and organizational, with no public rallies planned during this visit, as confirmed by Gaurav Gogoi.
This screening process marks a novel approach for Congress in Assam. For the first time, the committee—comprising Priyanka Gandhi as chairperson and three other members—has deployed teams to visit every district and assembly constituency. Over 10 to 12 days, they will travel extensively from Sadiya in the east to Dhubri in the west, holding grassroots consultations. The emphasis is on gathering direct feedback from local workers, assessing public sentiment, and evaluating aspirants based on key criteria: qualifications, grassroots support, public backing, and realistic winnability in the face of the BJP’s strong organizational machinery.
Candidate selection will prioritize these grassroots inputs over traditional top-down methods. A detailed review process is underway to ensure the chosen nominees align with the party’s revival goals in Assam. This bottom-up strategy is seen as a response to past electoral setbacks and aims to rebuild trust at the booth level.
The timing of Priyanka Gandhi’s visit gains added significance following Bhupen Borah’s departure from the party. Borah, a two-time legislator and former state unit chief, cited personal reasons including “self-respect” for his exit. Despite this, Congress leaders project resilience and renewed energy. Gaurav Gogoi highlighted that the party has maintained momentum in election-related activities post-Borah’s resignation. The central leadership’s involvement, including Priyanka Gandhi’s direct oversight, is viewed as a stabilizing factor. Her role extends beyond screening; she is effectively steering “Team Priyanka” in Assam, with observers like DK Shivakumar and Bhupesh Baghel supporting the effort.
Congress is positioning itself as a formidable challenger in the Assam Assembly Elections 2026. The party seeks to capitalize on issues like unemployment, inflation, flood management, ethnic tensions, and governance lapses under the BJP. With alliances still in discussion (potentially with AIUDF or others), the candidate list will be pivotal in defining seat-sharing and campaign narratives.
The release of the first candidate list in early March could set the tone for the campaign. It may cover priority seats in Upper Assam, Lower Assam, Barak Valley, and hill areas, reflecting regional diversity. Observers note that Congress aims for a mix of experienced leaders, youth, and women candidates to broaden appeal.
As preparations intensify, all eyes are on how effectively Congress translates internal unity and grassroots feedback into electoral gains. Priyanka Gandhi’s visit and the impending candidate announcements mark a critical phase in the opposition’s strategy to reclaim ground in Assam.
This proactive stance by Congress, led by figures like Gaurav Gogoi and backed by central heavyweights, underscores the high stakes of the 2026 polls. With the Election Commission likely to announce the full schedule soon (possibly mid-March), parties are racing against time to finalize strategies.
