Sarma Signals Strong Mandate in Re-election Bid
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Guwahati
- Mar 20, 2026
- 718
Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday filed his nomination from the Jalukbari Assembly constituency, formally launching his bid for a second consecutive term in what is shaping up to be a politically significant contest.
He submitted his nomination papers at the District Commissioner’s office in Kamrup (Metro) district, Guwahati, amid a massive turnout of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters—an unmistakable display of political strength ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections.
Calling it his “seventh electoral battle,” Sarma framed his campaign around two central themes: safeguarding Assam’s cultural identity and accelerating economic development. Expressing confidence, he asserted that the people of Assam would extend their unequivocal support to his leadership.
Taking a measured swipe at Gaurav Gogoi, who had positioned the election as a personal contest against him, Sarma remarked that such statements could be seen as a form of acknowledgment. He added that while he does not claim to be one, such remarks indicate he is increasingly being perceived as an “institution” in Assam’s political sphere.
The Chief Minister also signalled the likelihood of further political shifts, suggesting that leaders from opposition ranks may join the BJP. He described it as part of his broader mission to consolidate Hindu voters, emphasizing the need for unity within the community.
A seasoned politician and five-time MLA from Jalukbari, Sarma began his legislative career with the Congress in 2001, winning three consecutive terms before crossing over to the BJP ahead of the 2016 elections. Since then, he has risen to become the party’s most influential face in Assam.
His wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, voiced strong confidence in the party’s prospects, stating that the electorate has responded positively to the transformation witnessed across the state. She expressed optimism that the BJP would secure a decisive mandate.
The upcoming polls will see a direct contest between the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Congress, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NDA—comprising the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad, and United People’s Party Liberal—secured a decisive victory, winning 75 out of 126 seats. The BJP alone accounted for 60 seats, while the Congress-led alliance trailed significantly. The election recorded a robust voter turnout of 86.2%, with over 2.2 crore registered voters.