Uncertainty surrounding a possible opposition alliance ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections intensified after Akhil Gogoi posted a cryptic message on social media on March 6, writing in Assamese “সৰ্বশেষ চেষ্টাও ব্যৰ্থ” (the final attempt also failed).
The remark sparked speculation in political circles about the status of discussions between Raijor Dal and the Indian National Congress regarding a possible alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam.
The post came at a time when the Congress and several opposition parties announced plans to begin joint campaign meetings across the state. Speaking at a press conference, Gaurav Gogoi, president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, said the party is currently working with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Assam Jatiya Parishad and the All Party Hill Leaders’ Conference to build a broader opposition front.
Gogoi said discussions are also ongoing with other parties, including Raijor Dal led by Akhil Gogoi, and expressed hope that the grouping would expand further in the coming days. “From now on, we will undertake joint campaign meetings across the state. Discussions on some probable locations in Upper Assam have already taken place, and we will discuss other parts as well,” he said.
The opposition alliance has not yet finalised its seat-sharing arrangement, though friendly contests in a few constituencies are considered likely. The Congress has already announced candidates for 42 seats.
Gaurav Gogoi said the Assembly elections are expected to be held before Bohag Bihu in mid-April, making the coming weeks crucial for opposition parties. He added that while discussions on a joint contest had taken place earlier, political parties had been busy with organisational work and the special revision of electoral rolls.
“We felt that it was time we took our views together to the public. Hence, we will launch the joint campaign from now on,” said Gogoi, who has been named the Congress candidate from the Jorhat Assembly constituency.
Meanwhile, Lurinjyoti Gogoi said the four parties had joined hands to send a message that they are united in their effort to defeat the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Suprakash Talukdar described the alliance as a “good beginning” that needs to be strengthened, while Jones Ingti Kathar said the move was aimed at addressing issues faced by people, particularly in the hill areas.
Uncertainty deepened further on March 7 when Akhil Gogoi went live on Facebook from Kaziranga Orchid Park to express disappointment over the lack of progress in alliance talks with the Congress.
In the live video, the Raijor Dal leader spoke about his frustration over the ongoing political developments and the uncertainty regarding a broader opposition unity against the BJP. Gogoi had reportedly been waiting in the Kaziranga area in the hope of holding discussions with Congress leaders on a possible electoral understanding.
Speaking to reporters, he said it was “insulting” that the Congress held a press conference announcing an alliance with four parties while leaving out Raijor Dal. Despite the snub, Gogoi maintained that the possibility of an alliance was still open, stating that “the ball is now in Congress’s court.” He added that he would wait until midnight for any response from the Congress leadership regarding the alliance talks.
However, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, who was travelling through the same region, did not meet the Raijor Dal chief and instead continued his journey towards Jorhat after stopping for lunch at a restaurant near the Orchid Park.
Critics interpreted the stopover and the absence of any meeting between the two leaders as a signal that no discussion with Raijor Dal had been planned during the visit.
The developments came a day after Gaurav Gogoi indicated that the Congress had finalised its alliance with four opposition parties in the state, though he did not clarify whether Raijor Dal would be part of the proposed alliance.
In the 126-member Assam Assembly, the BJP currently holds 64 seats, while its allies — Asom Gana Parishad, United People’s Party Liberal and Bodoland People’s Front — have nine, seven and three MLAs respectively. The Congress has 26 legislators, the All India United Democratic Front has 15, and the CPI(M) has one member along with one Independent.
With the Assembly elections approaching, the developments have raised fresh questions about whether the opposition parties will be able to form a united front against the BJP and whether Raijor Dal will ultimately join the alliance or contest the polls independently.
