Guwahati: The Rise and Fall of Regional Politics in Assam
In Assam, regional political parties that once held significant influence are now facing serious challenges. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which was established during the historic Assam movement against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and has governed the state twice, is experiencing a major decline. After securing only nine seats in the 2021 assembly elections, the party has seen a slight rise to just ten seats this time around.
Once the most prominent regional party in the North-East, AGP played a crucial role alongside the BJP in the 2001 assembly and subsequent Lok Sabha elections. However, it has now become a minor partner within the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Other smaller regional parties like Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Parishad, which participated in their second assembly elections in 2026, continue to struggle to establish a firm presence. Led by Akhil Gogoi, Raijor Dal has improved its position slightly, increasing its seat count from one to two. In contrast, AJP has yet to win any seats for the second consecutive time.
The situation is not any better for the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), both based in the Bodo heartland. UPPL, which won six seats in 2021, has dropped to just one seat this time, whereas BPF has increased its count from four to ten seats.
In total, AGP, Raijor Dal, and BPF collectively hold 22 out of Assam’s 126 assembly seats, while the BJP dominates with 82 seats. This shift indicates a significant change in the political landscape of Assam, with regional parties struggling to keep up in an evolving environment.
