Congress Announces 87 Candidates in 3rd Assam List
Party fields 22 more nominees, intensifies battle against BJP in key state
- Congress releases third list of 22 candidates for Assam polls
- Total declared candidates rise to 87
- Mix of senior leaders and fresh faces in latest list
- Direct contest with BJP, which has announced 88 candidates
GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 20th March: The Indian National Congress has released its third list of 22 candidates for the Assam Assembly Elections 2026, taking its total tally of घोषित nominees to 87.
The move comes as the party sharpens its campaign against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, which has already announced 88 candidates in its first list.
The latest list features a mix of experienced leaders and new faces across constituencies. Among key candidates, Manik Chandra Brahma has been fielded from Kokrajhar (ST), Baby Begum from Dhubri, and Aftab Uddin Mollah from Jaleshwar.
Other prominent nominees include Pradip Sarkar from Abhayapuri, Roselina Tirkey from Khumtai, Md Ashraful Islam Sheikh from Parbatjhora, and Matilal Narzary from Sidli Chirang (ST). Abdur Rahim Ahmed will contest from Chenga, while Jakir Hussain Sikdar has been named from Pakabetbari.
The party has also fielded Jagadish Madahi from Baksa, Rafie Daimary from Tamulpur (ST), and Soren Daimari from Udalguri (ST). Dr Asif Mohamad Nazar will contest from Laharighat, while Dr Durlav Chamua has been nominated from Nagaon-Batadraba.
Other candidates include Sunil Chetry (Naduar), Joyonto Khaund (Rongonadi), Ghana Buragohain (Lakhimpur), Ananda Narah (Dhakuakhana-ST), Sibanath Chetia (Makum), Sanjeeb Teron (Howraghat-ST), and Zubair Anam Mazumder (Algapur-Katlicherra).
Earlier, the Congress had released two lists comprising 42 and 23 candidates respectively. Key names announced earlier include state chief Gaurav Gogoi from Jorhat and Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia from Nazira. Former MP Abdul Khaleque has been fielded from Mandia.
The party has left around 15 seats for alliance partners such as CPI(M) and Assam Jatiya Parishad as part of its broader opposition strategy.
With the notification issued on March 16, nominations will close on March 23, followed by scrutiny on March 24 and withdrawal by March 26. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
The Congress, which has been out of power in Assam since 2016, is aiming to mount a strong challenge to the BJP-led alliance in the upcoming elections.
