Guwahati, March 20: A high-profile phase of the Assam Legislative Assembly elections 2026 begins on March 20, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and several senior leaders from both the ruling party and the opposition set to file their nomination papers, signalling the formal start of an intense campaign period.
Sarma, who is seeking re-election from Jalukbari, will submit his nomination at the Kamrup (Metropolitan) District Election Office after leading a rally from the Veterinary Field in Khanapara to the DC Office in Hengrabari, covering a distance of approximately 5.6 kilometres. Inviting public participation, he said the rally would mark an important moment in his electoral journey.
The Jalukbari constituency has remained a stronghold for Sarma since 2001, and he is now aiming for a sixth consecutive term. He had first contested from the seat in 1996, when he lost to Bhrigu Kumar Phukan, before securing victory five years later.
Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia is also set to file his nomination from Nazira, a constituency he has represented since 2011 and one that has longstanding ties to his family. The seat was earlier held by his father, former chief minister Hiteswar Saikia, and his mother, Hemoprava Saikia. Senior Congress leader Ripun Bora will file his nomination from Barchalla in north Assam.
Among regional parties, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, president of the Assam Jatiya Parishad, is expected to file from Khowang, while Akhil Gogoi of the Raijor Dal will contest from Sivasagar. While the AJP is part of a Congress-led alliance, talks between the Congress and Raijor Dal did not result in a pre-poll agreement.
The nomination filings are being viewed as a crucial political milestone, marking the entry of key contenders into the electoral fray. The last date for filing nominations is March 23, with scrutiny scheduled for March 24 and the withdrawal deadline set for March 26. Voting for the 126-member Assembly will take place on April 9, and counting of votes is slated for May 4.
