Guwahati (Assam), May 05: Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said Assam has delivered a “historic mandate for development and identity” as the BJP-led NDA surged past 98 seats in the 126-member Assembly, setting the stage for a third consecutive term for the alliance and a second term for Sarma.
Speaking at a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Basistha Chariali, Sarma called the result a “hat-trick with a century” and said the scale of victory reflects unprecedented trust in the “double-engine government.” He attributed the mandate to rapid infrastructure rollout, last-mile welfare delivery, and the government’s position on safeguarding indigenous interests. Sarma retained Jalukbari for the sixth consecutive term, polling 1,12,186 votes and defeating Congress candidate Bidisha Neog by 89,434 votes.
Counting for all 126 constituencies began at 8 am on Monday, May 4 across 40 centres in 35 districts. By evening, the NDA was ahead in 98 seats with the BJP leading in 78, Asom Gana Parishad in 10 and Bodoland People’s Front in 10. The Congress was leading in 25 constituencies while its allies Raijor Dal and CPI(M) were ahead in one seat each. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had consistently projected a “BJP government led by Himanta Biswa Sarma” throughout the campaign and exit polls had forecast a clear edge for the alliance.
Sarma said the verdict rejected the Opposition’s attempt to consolidate anti-BJP votes in Upper Assam through Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi, Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi and AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi. Early trends showed Gaurav Gogoi trailing BJP’s Hitendranath Goswami in Jorhat by over 13,000 votes and Lurinjyoti Gogoi behind BJP’s Chakradhar Gogoi in Khowang. He said voters chose development over division and endorsed the government’s mix of welfare schemes, eviction drives, and cultural messaging. With the NDA comfortably crossing the majority mark of 64, Sarma is poised to take oath again after first becoming Chief Minister in 2021.
The 2026 mandate cements Sarma’s standing as the BJP’s pre-eminent strongman in the Northeast and strengthens his influence within the party’s national leadership. Analysts pointed to a governing model built on centralised decision-making and fast project execution, with the Chief Minister citing more than 5,000 projects worth Rs 2,900 crore underway and 20,000 jobs created. Sarma said the next government will prioritise development, social justice and economic empowerment, and will expand welfare coverage for registered workers using Labour Cess funds.
He thanked voters for reposing faith in the BJP and said the people’s verdict had further strengthened the “aura of invincibility” around his leadership. The Congress-led alliance of AJP, Raijor Dal, CPI(M), APHLC and CPI(ML) won in 26 seats. Former Congress leaders Pradyut Bordoloi and Bhupen Borah, who joined the BJP won both in Dispur and Bihpuria respectively. Several BJP ministers including Ranoj Pegu in Dhemaji, Pijush Hazarika in Jagiroad, Ashok Singhal in Dhekiajuli, Prashanta Phukan in Dibrugarh and Bimal Borah in Tingkhong won their respective seats.
