Assam Congress Election Frenzy: A Look at the Race for Tickets
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has extended the deadline for submitting applications for party tickets for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. This extension, announced on January 20, follows an overwhelming response from aspirants, signifying the intense interest within the Congress Party ahead of the 2026 polls.
The Rush at Rajiv Bhawan
Rajiv Bhawan, Guwahati, has witnessed an unprecedented rush of ticket aspirants over the past two days. The heavy turnout led to severe congestion within the premises, making movement difficult for party workers and visitors. From early morning, aspirants queued up at Rajiv Bhawan on GS Road to submit their application forms, many accompanied by supporters and party workers.
Leadership and Aspirants
Several sitting MLAs and senior Congress leaders were also present to file their applications. Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, who submitted his application on Tuesday, expressed his intention to seek the party ticket from Nazira in Sivasagar district. Saikia emphasized the need to counter the BJP's anti-Constitution and anti-Assam policies, aiming to unite the people.
- Among those who submitted their nomination papers on Monday were former minister Pranati Phukan, sitting MLAs Wazed Ali Choudhury, Pradip Sarkar, and Abdul Baten Khandkar.
- Former MLA Rozlina Tirkey and senior leaders including Benu Nath, Gopal Sharma, Utpal Gogoi, Deep Bayan, Ajay Gogoi, and Manoranjan Buragohain also filed their applications.
- Youth leaders Pallavi Saikia, Bidisha Neog, and Palakshi Das also submitted their applications, along with several other aspirants such as Ratul Kalita, Ratul Patowary, Luit Kumar Barman, Kridip Barman, Tanzil Hussain, Mohsin Khan, and Jeherul Islam.
The Road Ahead
Party sources indicate that the rush of aspirants is unlikely to ease, with several senior leaders and hundreds of additional applicants expected to arrive at Rajiv Bhawan in the coming days. As the race for party tickets heats up, it remains to be seen how the Congress Party will navigate this intense competition and present a unified front against the BJP in the upcoming elections.
The election fever in Assam holds significant implications for the broader Indian political landscape, as the Congress Party seeks to regain its footing in the Northeast. With the Assam Assembly elections scheduled for 2026, the race for party tickets is just one aspect of a larger struggle for power and influence in the region.