Guwahati, April 5: The Nazira Assembly constituency has emerged as a politically significant battleground ahead of the April 9 polls in Assam, with the seat widely seen as a crucial test for the Congress in Upper Assam.
Situated near Garhgaon, the historic Ahom capital, Nazira holds strong cultural and political relevance, particularly among the Ahom community. The contest this time centres on a direct fight between senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia and BJP candidate Mayur Borgohain.
Saikia, the Leader of the Opposition and son of former chief minister Hiteswar Saikia, is seeking a fourth consecutive term, having held the seat since 2011. Nazira remains one of the few strongholds of the Congress in the region, and any setback here could signal erosion in the party’s traditional support base.
The BJP, however, has steadily strengthened its position in the constituency over the years. In the 2021 election, Saikia secured 52,387 votes, narrowly defeating Borgohain, who polled 51,704 votes, with a slim margin of 683 votes. The close contest followed a significant rise in BJP’s vote share compared to 2016.
Renominated for the 2026 polls, Borgohain is contesting with renewed momentum, with party leaders expressing confidence of a stronger performance and projecting a wider victory margin this time.
The contest also reflects the broader political landscape in the state. The BJP-led alliance, including the Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front, is campaigning on development and governance, while the Congress is leading a multi-party alliance comprising the Assam Jatiya Parishad, Raijor Dal, CPI(M), CPI(ML), and the All Party Hill Leaders Conference to consolidate opposition votes.
Nazira falls under the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Gaurav Gogoi, adding further political significance to the seat.
With voting scheduled for April 9 and counting on May 4, the outcome in Nazira is expected to provide key insights into evolving political trends in Upper Assam, particularly among the Ahom electorate, which continues to play a decisive role in the constituency.
