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The opposition Assam Jaitya Parishad (AJP) on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) announced its first list of candidates for eight seats for the state assembly elections, putting its president Lurinjoyti Gogoi and working president and former Union minister Rajen Gohain in the fray.
The party, which is part of a Congress-led alliance in the State, will name its candidates for two more constituencies in which the grouping will contest as a united front, Mr. Gogoi said.
The elections to the 126-member Assam Assembly will be held on April 9. Votes will be counted on May 4.
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Addressing a press conference, the AJP president said, “Our party will be contesting in 10 seats as a united alliance in the coming elections. There may be a friendly contest with other alliance parties in a couple of seats, talks on which are on to reach a consensus.”
Mr. Gogoi will be contesting from Khowang, Gohain from Barhampur, Bani Das from Morigaon, Pankaj Lochan Goswami from Palasbari, Jibon Chutia from Sarupathar, Dilip Baruah from Bajali, Rejaul Karim Choudhury from Bindakandi and Mounak Patra from Dibrugarh.
The party will announce its candidates for Guwahati Central and Sadiya constituencies soon, the AJP leader added.
Mr. Gogoi also questioned the single-phase polling and short campaigning period, alleging that it was done to help a specific political group.
He claimed that there are two primary reasons for the Election Commission's hurriedly announcing the polls.
“First, as the government failed to provide justice in the Zubeen Garg death case and emotions will run high as soon as the Bohag Bihu (marking Assamese New Year in mid-April) festivities start, the government wanted to conclude the elections before it,” he said.
Garg, a popular singer, died on September 19 last year while swimming in the sea in Singapore. The state government alleged that it was a case of murder and arrested seven people. The authorities in the island nation, however, said Garg was severely intoxicated and drowned off Lazarus Island after declining a life jacket.
Gogoi also claimed that the EC wanted to ensure that leaders of opposition parties do not get much time to campaign across the state and remain confined to their own constituencies.
With scrutiny of nominations to be undertaken on March 26, the candidates will practically have a campaigning period of 13 days, he maintained.
“Through its short election notice, it is clear that the EC is working for the benefit of a specific section. And we have to say it on record that such activities are eroding the strong democratic principles, emphasised by our founding fathers,” Gogoi claimed.
Party general secretary Jagdish Bhuyan said the short campaign period creates difficulties for regional parties such as the AJP “owing to limited resources”.
Mr. Bhuyan, who was a ticket contender from Sadiya, said he is now rethinking it, as at least one top party leader would be needed to coordinate the electioneering process.
“But I have to respect the wishes of our local party members also. Tomorrow, I will be discussing the matter of my candidacy with the local chapter and take a decision,” he added.
Mr. Bhuyan said the AJP was fully committed to ensure unity of opposition parties to defeat the BJP-led ruling regime, with the party president also affirming his support.
“We had sought 28 seats to contest, but have agreed to 10 seats for the sake of the alliance. Of course, we are still in talks for a few more seats where we feel that we have a strong presence,” Mr. Gogoi said.
Everything will be clear within a couple of days, the AJP president added.
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