Assam CM Sarma, Opposition Leaders File Nominations Ahead of Assembly Polls

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and several prominent leaders from both the ruling BJP and opposition parties are set to file their nomination papers on Friday for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections . Sarma, contesting from Jalukbari , will submit his papers at the Kamrup (Metropolitan) District Election Office . Ahead of the filing, he will lead a rally from the Veterinary Field in Khanapara to the DC Office in Hengrabari , covering a distance of approximately 5.6 km.

Sharing his plans on X , Sarma said: “Inviting everyone to join the rally from Khanapara Veterinary Field to DC Office, Kamrup (M), as I file my nomination for #AssamElections2026 . Your blessings will power up my journey and inspire me to carry forward the responsibility entrusted by the people of Assam.”

Sarma has been representing Jalukbari under the Gauhati Lok Sabha constituency since 2001 and is seeking a sixth consecutive term . He first contested the seat in 1996, losing to the late AGP leader Bhrigu Kumar Phukan , but won it in 2001 with a margin of 10,000 votes.

Leader of the opposition in the state assembly Debabrata Saikia will file his nomination from Nazira , a constituency he has represented since 2011. Both his late father and chief minister Hiteswar Saikia and mother Hemoprava Saikia had earlier held the same seat. Senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha member Ripun Bora will file from Barchalla in North Assam.

Other key candidates include Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi , likely contesting from Khowang , and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi from Sivasagar . While AJP is part of the Congress-led coalition , pre-poll alliance talks between Congress and Raijor Dal did not materialize.

The last date for filing nominations is March 23 , with scrutiny scheduled for March 24 , and the final withdrawal by March 26 . Elections for the 126-member assembly will be held on April 9 , and the vote count is set for May 4 .