Nitin Naveen Sets 50% Vote Share Target in Assam, Over 20 MLAs May Lose Tickets

Guwahati, Assam: As the 2026 assembly elections approach, the BJP has unveiled a mega-strategy to secure a hat-trick of victories in Assam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP National President Nitin Naveen, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have all made strategic visits to the state, signaling a high-stakes electoral push even before the official election announcements. Congress, meanwhile, has mobilized with visits by Priyanka Gandhi and Karnataka leader D.K. Shivakumar, heightening political activity in the northeastern state.

Ambitious Targets Set by BJP
During his recent visit to Assam, Nitin Naveen reportedly set an ambitious goal for the BJP: to capture 50% of the vote share in the upcoming assembly elections. In the previous 2021 elections, the party had secured 33.2% of votes. Analysts say that if this target is achieved, the opposition could be confined to just 20–28 seats in Assam’s 126-member assembly.

Bhupen Bora Entry Adds Strategic Advantage
The induction of former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief Bhupen Bora into the BJP is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the party’s position. While Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma continues to play the Hindutva card, he is also targeting the Congress leadership through a critique of dynastic politics. Prime Minister Modi, during his Assam visit, remarked that Congress has effectively become a “Muslim League Congress.” Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, promising deportation within five years. BJP hopes to leverage Sarma’s popularity and political image to secure a decisive victory, and Bora’s entry is expected to further weaken the opposition.

Ticket Cuts Loom for Sitting MLAs
The NDA government in Assam, led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, currently enjoys the support of 86 MLAs, including 67 from the BJP. The party plans to cut tickets for nearly 30% of its sitting legislators, meaning around 20–25 MLAs may not get re-nomination. The selection process is informed by surveys assessing incumbents’ performance, public image, activity levels, and age. This move is part of BJP’s long-standing strategy to refresh its legislative roster and maximize its chances of reaching the 50% vote share target. The party is also actively negotiating seat-sharing arrangements with NDA allies, aiming to consolidate its gains beyond the 60 seats won in 2016 and 2021.