NDA to contest all 126 seats in 2026 Assam polls: BJP president Dilip Saikia

GUWAHATI, Feb 6: State BJP president Dilip Saikia on Thursday said he has held parleys with the leadership of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) regarding the forthcoming Assembly polls and exuded confidence about arriving at an amicable seat-sharing arrangement among all the constituents of the ruling NDA.

Speaking to reporters here, Saikia added that the BJP’s preparations are in full swing for the 2026 Assembly elections.

“NDA will contest all the 126 seats. Seat-sharing is yet to be finalized. The partnership among the NDA constituents is not only for show. It is not like some meeting held in a hotel where one person says one thing and another speaks another thing. Our relationship and partnership is based on understanding,” he said.

“The relationship extends to the grassroots level. We laid the ground in the panchayat polls. In the last panchayat elections, we had an alliance with the AGP in some regions. This was the first time we had an alliance with the AGP in panchayat polls. Before that, there had never been any alliance in panchayat elections. We also had an understanding with the Ganashakti and the TMPK and they contested the elections using our party symbol,” he said.

Saikia said he recently held a meeting with AGP president Atul Bora, working president Keshab Mahanta, and MPs Birendra Prasad Baishya and Phani Bhusan Choudhury.

“We exchanged views. In a few places, there may be issues as some constituencies have become extinct and some new ones have been formed following delimitation. We shall soon finalize the seat-sharing arrangement and there will be no problem. We have at least that much of understanding amongst us that we shall be able to find a solution to any issue that may crop up regarding dispute over seats,” said Saikia, who is also a member of the Lok Sabha.

“There is BJP, AGP, Ganashakti, TMPK, Rabha Hasong Sangram Samiti, BPF, and UPPL. Our effort will be to find a common ground and resolve matters amicably. Maybe in some instances we shall have to take a step back and give them an opportunity and vice versa. Ultimately winnability will be the criteria,” he said.

Asked about the rivalry between the BPF and the UPPL, both of which are now in the NDA, Saikia said, “In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BPF extended support to me. And in 2024, the UPPL supported me. I would wish for both parties to hold talks and contest the Assembly polls as part of the NDA.”

Saikia asserted that the social welfare schemes of the BJP-led Central and State governments have benefitted the masses.

“As soon as one election gets over, the BJP starts preparing for the next polls. Various elections have taken place (in recent years). Lok Sabha polls were held, as well as elections to municipalities, autonomous councils, and panchayats. 2016 was quarter-final, 2021 was semi-final and in 2026, we are going to play the final. That is the only difference,” he said.

By

Staff Reporter