Electoral battleground widens as TMC & NPP enter race to assembly

Guwahati: The contest for Assam’s 126-member assembly widened with Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Conrad Sangma-led National People’s Party (NPP) releasing their first lists of candidates, marking a fresh push by two parties that have so far struggled to make electoral inroads in the state.TMC named 17 candidates, with state vice-president Dulu Ahmed being among the key nominees. Ahmed will contest from Chamaria.Other prominent names include Udangsri Narzary (Kokrajhar), Mominur Islam (Bilasipara), Kaushik Ranjan Das (Abhayapuri), Kalyani Kalita (Bajali), Rajan Chouhan (Goreswar), Hare Krishna Deka (Mangaldai), Faziur Rahman Laskar (Katigorah) and Shahajahan Laskar (Sonai).The NPP fielded candidates in three constituencies. Among them is Aminul Islam, the sitting AIUDF MLA who recently switched sides, and will contest again from his stronghold, Mankachar.

The other two NPP nominees are Daniel Langthasa (Haflong) and Ganseng B Sangma (Boko-Chaygaon).Both parties have historically drawn a blank in Assam in the last two outings in 2021 and 2016.For TMC, which has been attempting to expand its footprint beyond Bengal, Assam offers a chance to build a presence in the northeast. For NPP, which governs Meghalaya, the move reflects ambitions to broaden its regional base.From fringe vote shares in 2016 and 2021 to a fresh push in 2026, TMC and NPP are betting on Assam to expand their footprint and safeguard their national party credentials.