Guwahati, January 5, 2026: The Congress party has made a bold move in its bid to reclaim power in Assam by appointing Priyanka Gandhi to lead the party’s state campaign — marking the first time she has been entrusted with a direct role in a state assembly election. This sets the stage for a high-stakes political duel between Priyanka Gandhi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP’s chief strategist.
The 2026 assembly elections will take place in several states, including Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, covering a total of 824 legislative seats. While West Bengal is expected to witness high-voltage electoral battles, Assam now takes the spotlight with Congress banking on Priyanka Gandhi’s leadership to challenge the BJP machinery.
On the BJP side, election strategy is being orchestrated by Amit Shah himself, with current Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma projected as the party’s face in the state. Congress, in turn, has chosen Gaurav Gogoi to lead the campaign on the ground.
Priyanka Gandhi Heads Screening Committee
Congress’s move comes after calls to assign Priyanka Gandhi greater responsibility following Bihar election results. While BJP mocked the appointment as a “Rahul Out, Priyanka In” decision, Congress has formed a strong campaign team under her chairpersonship. The team includes Yashomati Thakur and Imran Masood from Maharashtra, along with Saptagiri Shankar Ulaka and Dr. Sirivella Prasad. In Kerala, Madhusudan Mistry will head the screening committee.
First Direct Face-Off with Amit Shah
The Assam elections will witness a rare direct contest between Priyanka Gandhi and Amit Shah as a strategist. Shah, renowned for crafting election victories across India, including the decisive Delhi and Bihar strategies, now brings his expertise to Assam. His meticulous planning has been credited with BJP’s resounding wins in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, even against strong regional incumbents.
Assam Assembly Election Overview
- Total seats: 126
- Majority required: 64
| Year | BJP | Congress | AIUDF | Others/Independents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 60+15 (AGP & UPPL) | 29 | 16 | 1 |
| 2016 | 60+28 (AGP+BPF) | 26 | 13 | 1 |
| 2011 | 5 | 78 | 8 | 30 (BPF, AGP, AITC & others) |
The stakes in Assam are high, with BJP applying the same strategic rigor seen in other states. Amit Shah has already demonstrated an aggressive campaign style, notably in Tamil Nadu, directly confronting DMK leadership and calling for an end to political dynasties.
For Congress, Priyanka Gandhi’s entry injects fresh energy and raises expectations, especially in light of past Lok Sabha elections where Congress leaders believed her leadership could have influenced outcomes more favorably. As the political battle unfolds, Assam is set to become a critical arena in the broader national electoral landscape.
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