The bypoll results for six assembly constituencies—five in Assam and one in Meghalaya—declared on Saturday, have reinforced the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). All six seats were won by NDA partners, reaffirming their political hold in the region.
In Assam, the BJP retained the Dholai (SC) and Behali (SC) constituencies, while its allies, the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), secured other seats. Among these victories, the BJP’s win in the Samaguri constituency, traditionally seen as a Congress bastion, stood out as a significant achievement.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, energized by the bypoll successes, reaffirmed the BJP’s strategy to expand its presence in Assam’s minority-dominated constituencies ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Addressing the media on Sunday, Sarma declared, “We’ll continue to seek votes in the minority-dominated areas but with a clear agenda—appeasement to none; justice to all. Unlike Congress, we will not offer appeasement to any religious minority and will seek votes based on our development agenda.”
Sarma said that the BJP has ensured equality in welfare schemes across all regions, including those dominated by minority communities. “The minority-dominated areas also get the same welfare schemes as other areas. That means ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’ Today, those advocating for equality are increasingly attracted to the BJP,” he added.
The Chief Minister identified two distinct factions within Assam’s minority community—those seeking equal treatment and those demanding special privileges. Sarma argued that the BJP’s approach resonates more with the former, positioning the party as a choice for equitable development.
Sarma revealed the BJP’s plans to intensify its focus on key minority-dominated constituencies, including Lahorighat, South Karimganj, North Karimganj, Samaguri, and Rupohi. While he avoided making definitive predictions about winning these constituencies, he emphasized the party’s intent to “put up a steep challenge” in traditionally opposition strongholds.
He also dismissed speculation that the BJP benefitted from the absence of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in the Samaguri bypoll. “The absence of AIUDF prevented the division of anti-Congress votes, which worked in our favor. However, it’s the nationalists who reject appeasement politics that support the BJP. We wouldn’t have won Samaguri had there been AIUDF, but their absence gives us an edge in such constituencies,” Sarma explained.