Mamata Banerjee accuses the BJP of importing voters for the Assam elections and plotting similar interference in West Bengal, raising concerns about electoral integrity and potential cultural restrictions.
The 2026 election appears to have reinforced a new political formula in Assam: Strong organisation, continuous grassroots engagement, effective alliance management and welfare-based voter outreach.
Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as the chief minister of Assam for a second consecutive term, along with four other ministers, marking the formation of the third successive NDA government in the state.
Himanta Biswa Sarma has been elected as the leader of the BJP-led NDA in the Assam assembly, paving the way for his second consecutive term as chief minister. The NDA secured a two-thirds majority in the recent assembly polls, with the BJP winning 82 seats and its allies AGP and BPF securing 10 seats each.
'The real fault line in Assam is not Hindu versus Muslim. It is Assamese versus Bengali -- and within that, the specific anxiety about undocumented Bangladeshi settlers claiming land and altering the demographic balance of the state.'
A man was detained at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Assam government after being found with live bullets during security screening. The incident occurred shortly before the oath-taking ceremony, attended by high-profile BJP leaders and other dignitaries.
The delimitation of constituencies, which aimed to reduce the influence of minority candidates, is a significant factor in the NDA's strong performance in the Assam elections, where they secured a record 102 seats. The 2023 delimitation exercise redrew constituencies, reserving some Muslim-majority seats for indigenous communities, which increased the BJP and its allies' seat count.
If current trends persist, the Congress risks becoming increasingly regionally concentrated, dependent on a handful of states rather than functioning as a truly pan-India political force.
NDA partner Bodoland People's Front (BPF) is expected to secure a majority of the 15 Assembly seats in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam, leading in 10 constituencies, according to Election Commission data. The BJP, a major partner in the ruling NDA, leads in three seats, while the UPPL and Congress are ahead in one seat each.
The newly elected BJP-led NDA government in Assam will be sworn in on May 12, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries expected to attend. Preparations are underway to ensure a smooth and secure ceremony.
In the Opposition camp, the Congress, which contested 99 seats, won 19 constituencies, while the Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF and Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal secured two seats each, and the Trinamool Congress bagged one constituency.
Two individuals have been apprehended in connection with the armed robbery at a doctor's residence in Assam's Nagaon district. The incident involved an attack on the doctor and his wife, with police investigations ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.
A popular Bihu dancer was killed and 11 members of her troupe were injured in a head-on collision between a mini bus and a trailer truck in Assam's Tamulpur district, police said on Saturday.
Exit polls predict a BJP victory in Assam and an edge in West Bengal, a DMK government in Tamil Nadu, and a Congress-led UDF comeback in Kerala.
Two women allegedly molested in Delhi's Nehru Place are struggling with trauma and fear, highlighting the lack of public assistance during the incident.
In its list of 26 candidates for Thursday's assembly elections, 13 are from the Bengali-speaking Muslim community -- a demographic that was at the centre of the original Assam agitation.
Former Mumbai and Baroda first-class cricketer Kiran Powar has been appointed as the head coach of the Assam men's team for the 2026-27 domestic season.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered action and the arrest of 16 people following an attack on police and officials serving eviction notices to alleged encroachers in Azara, Guwahati. Sarma asserts that all encroachers will be evicted and a permanent police camp will be established in the area.
Police in Assam have detained seven people in connection with election-related violence in Tamulpur and Sivasagar. Minor clashes also erupted at several polling booths, resulting in minor injuries. Authorities are investigating the incidents and monitoring the situation to ensure uninterrupted polling.
Police in Assam's Tinsukia district have arrested seven individuals suspected of providing logistical support and facilitating communication for the banned militant group ULFA (I).
The BJP is showing strong leads in West Bengal and Assam, while actor Vijay's party is making a significant debut in Tamil Nadu. The Congress is ahead in Kerala, offering some consolation amid the changing political landscape in the state elections.
'The BJP's tally may dip, but the NDA is likely to retain power.'
The RSS has filed police complaints against Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for allegedly comparing the organisation and the BJP to a 'poisonous snake' during an election rally in Assam.
The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has criticised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after its Guwahati Central candidate, Kunki Chowdhury, was summoned by police in connection with an election-related case. The AJP alleges the ruling BJP is using intimidation tactics due to Chowdhury's strong performance.
'Science today is very interconnected, and that helped me become part of the Muon g-2 team.'
The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has criticised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after its candidate, Kunki Chowdhury, was summoned by police in connection with an election-related case, alleging political harassment and misuse of power by the ruling BJP.
Opposition Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) candidate Kunki Chowdhury has filed a police complaint regarding alleged deepfake videos circulating on social media that defame her family, following claims made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma about her mother's food habits.
Four Assam Congress workers have been arrested for allegedly possessing and transporting pamphlets containing allegations against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, sparking controversy and accusations of undemocratic action.
'I repeatedly contacted the party leadership, but they didn't take my calls. The District Congress Committee offered no assistance.' 'I waited for a long time, and when no response came, I decided to quit the party.'
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of corruption and land grabbing, promising action if the Congress party wins the upcoming elections in Assam. Gandhi also criticised the BJP's governance and economic policies.
Voters in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry are voting in crucial assembly elections.
The TMC has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that he made polarising and criminally intimidating statements during election campaigning in West Bengal.
An explosion at a scrap dealer's rented house in Assam's Jorhat district resulted in two fatalities and two critical injuries. Police are investigating the cause of the blast.
Congress candidate Sunil Kumar Chetry was injured in an attack during campaigning in Assam's Naduar constituency, leading to accusations against the BJP.
The outcome of the assembly elections will not only determine AIUDF's immediate relevance but could also shape its long-term role in Assam's political landscape.
Election affidavits in Assam have unveiled significant financial disparities among key candidates, with some declaring extensive assets, multiple bank accounts, and numerous vehicles, while others report more modest holdings.
The Congress and Raijor Dal have finalised a seat-sharing agreement for the Assam assembly elections, with Congress leaving 11 constituencies for Raijor Dal and a friendly contest in two others. The alliance aims to defeat the BJP government.
Assam is set to hold elections for its 126-member assembly, with a direct contest expected between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led opposition. Key candidates and constituencies are in focus as the state prepares to vote.
Opposition parties in Assam are questioning the state police's handling of the Zubeen Garg death case after a Singapore coroner ruled out foul play, contradicting the Assam police's murder charges against several accused. The conflicting findings have sparked controversy and calls for further investigation.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed India's neighbours wanted to "break up" Assam by taking advantage of the unrest in the state earlier, but their "dreams were shattered" as the Narendra Modi government brought peace to the region.
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