Political temperature is rising ahead of the Assam Assembly election, scheduled for a single-phase vote on April 9, 2026. The Congress party has appointed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as one of its senior observers for the state, alongside Chhattisgarh's former CM Bhupesh Baghel and Jharkhand leader Bandhu Tirkey.
During his recent visit to Assam, Shivakumar declared that a "strong wind of change" is blowing against the ruling BJP. He highlighted the Karnataka Congress government's development model, promising that if Gaurav Gogoi leads Congress to power, the same people-centric guarantees and development initiatives will be implemented in Assam.
Congress ruled Assam for 15 years under Tarun Gogoi before the BJP formed its first government in 2016 under Sarbananda Sonowal. In 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma took over as Chief Minister. Toxic Gas Leak from Coromandel Factory; District Administration Accused of Ignoring High Court Relocation Order
The BJP is now aggressively aiming for a third consecutive term, while Congress has entrusted campaign leadership to Tarun Gogoi's son, Gaurav Gogoi. Congress leaders in Assam say appointing Shivakumar as observer demonstrates the party's strong commitment.
Despite past differences with CM Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar has remained steadfastly loyal and is using the Karnataka model as a key campaign plank to showcase governance success.On the BJP side, Bengaluru South MP and BJYM President Tejasvi Surya has been given significant campaign responsibility.West Bengal’s heavy weight Suvendu Adhikari, to field against Mamata in Babanipur
At a recent BJP youth meet in Guwahati, he praised CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's crackdown on "illegal infiltrators." He accused the Karnataka Congress government of allegedly providing protection to Bangladeshi infiltrators crossing from Assam and Bengal borders into Bengaluru.
In social media posts, Surya lauded Himanta's efforts to deport Bengali-speaking Muslims involved in illegal migration, attract investments, and create jobs.Yuva Nidhi Scheme Closed: Why the Silence on the BJP MLA's Question...?
Both Shivakumar and Surya are set to participate in multiple rallies during the campaign. Key issues dominating the election include illegal immigration, development, employment, and public grievances. While the BJP fights confidently for a third term, Congress is pushing hard to create momentum for change.India hits hard at Pakistan again in the United Nations General Assembly