GUWAHATI: With the Assam Assembly elections scheduled for March-April 2026, both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress are deep into the most sensitive phase of election preparation: ticket distribution. This process, often messy and politically explosive is now exposing internal rivalries, alliance tensions and sharp accusations from both sides. With 126 Assembly seats after delimitation, the decisions taken over the next few weeks could decide the fate of the election.
The BJP, riding on its 2021 mandate of 60 seats and leading a coalition government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is pushing a performance-based formula for ticket selection. Party sources say sitting MLAs are being judged strictly on development work, public feedback, and their connection with voters. The party leadership says that there are no formal application process and no fees involved. Instead, feedback flows upward from booth, mandal, and district levels.
By mid-January, BJP leaders claim candidates have already been identified for 50 to 63 seats. The party is now aiming to contest around 103 seats, more than earlier estimates, following delimitation. The strategy includes bringing in younger faces and increasing the number of women candidates. To avoid excessive power build up, district presidents will not be given tickets. But this strategy carries risks. MLAs who are denied tickets may rebel, contest independently or quietly damage the party from within. Such moves could split votes, especially in close contests.
Alliance politics further complicates the picture. The BJP-led NDA includes the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) and seat-sharing talks are still underway. At the local level, resentment is visible in some alliance seats, where BJP workers oppose candidates from partner parties. Protests in areas such as Dhalai have already sent warning signals.
Meanwhile, a fake letter circulated online in the name of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on ticket distribution sparked confusion which the BJP’s IT cell moved quickly to counter blaming opposition mischief. The BJP is also facing criticism over pre-election cash benefits. Schemes such as Rs 8,000 transfers to 37 lakh women and student stipends have been attacked by opponents as “bribery”, raising questions about the party’s anti-corruption pitch.
Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Guardian, BJP chief spokesperson Kishore Kumar Upadhyay defended the process. “Multi-layer surveys are going on at different levels,” he said. “Independent agencies are also involved. When everything is combined, those who carry core issues will get tickets. That is how transparency is maintained”. Downplaying internal trouble, he added, “There are no challenges as of now. Many people want tickets and many have the capacity to serve voters. From them, the best will be finalised. BJP has the discipline to manage all challenges”.
On the other side, the Congress is struggling to rebuild after winning only 29 seats in 2021. This time, it has received more than 750 ticket applications, up from 452 in the last election. That averages six aspirants per seat, with constituencies like Dhing seeing as many as 27 applicants. The party has extended the application deadline to January 28 and charged Rs 50,000 per applicant, raising around Rs 3.75 crore.
This fee has become a major political weapon for the BJP and branded it “cash for ticket politics”. The Congress screening committee, headed by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is focusing on selecting candidates for about 100 seats before finalising alliances. This delay has angered potential allies like Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Parishad. Raijor Dal has set a Jan 31 deadline and warned it may go solo.
