Election Fever in Assam: 6 Must-Watch Constituencies
Assam's voters have spoken, with a massive turnout of over 85% recorded on April 9. This is one of the highest turnouts in recent years, indicating a strong interest in the election process. The BJP, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is looking to maintain its grip on power, while the Congress is seeking to regain ground under Gaurav Gogoi, son of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi.
The contest between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP and a divided opposition has been marked by intense political exchanges. Exit polls suggest a clear majority for the incumbent government, but several constituencies are expected to be closely contested due to legacy factors and narrow margins.
One constituency to watch is Jalukbari, represented by Himanta Biswa Sarma himself. This seat has consistently delivered high voting percentages, with Sarma securing a 73.52% vote share in the 2021 Assembly elections. The constituency covers parts of Guwahati city, including the Jalukbari locality, and is known for its educational institutions and connectivity via NH-27.
Another key constituency is Jorhat, which has seen a closely contested seat in the past. In the 2021 Assembly elections, Hitendra Nath Goswami of the BJP won the seat with 68,321 votes, while Rana Goswami of the Congress finished second with 61,833 votes, losing by a margin of 6,488 votes.
Debabrata Saikia, leader of the opposition in Assam, is set to contest once again from Nazira Assembly constituency in Sivasagar district. His family has a long association with the seat, with his father, former chief minister Hiteswar Saikia, and his mother Hemoprava Saikia having previously represented the constituency.
Ripun Bora, former Rajya Sabha MP and ex-state Congress president, is back in the electoral contest from Barchalla Assembly constituency in Assam’s Sonitpur district. His earlier experience as a minister and legislator adds significance to his candidature in the seat, which falls under the Tezpur Lok Sabha constituency.
Golaghat Assembly constituency is a general category seat located in Golaghat district of Assam. Following the final delimitation exercise notified in August 2023, the constituency has been placed under the newly formed Kaziranga Lok Sabha constituency. Earlier, it was part of the now-abolished Kaliabor Lok Sabha constituency.