Gaurav Gogoi Appointed Assam Congress President Ahead of 2026 Assembly Polls
Guwahati, May 26, 2025 — In a major political development ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Monday appointed senior party leader and Member of Parliament from Jorhat, Gaurav Gogoi, as the new President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC).
Gogoi, 42, who currently serves as the Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, replaces Bhupen Kumar Borah, who held the post for nearly four years. The announcement was made by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, who also named Jakir Hussain Sikdar, Roselina Tirkey, and Pradip Sarkar as working presidents of the state unit.
The move is being widely seen as the Congress high command’s strategic signal to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown in the run-up to the 2026 elections. Gogoi, a three-time MP and son of former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, is expected to rejuvenate the party’s base in the state.
BJP-Congress Face-off Intensifies
The political rivalry between Gogoi and Sarma has grown increasingly bitter in recent months. Since February, the Chief Minister has accused Gogoi of alleged links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), a charge that intensified following the Pahalgam terror attack and the launch of Operation Sindoor.
Sarma has promised to present evidence on September 10, once the Special Investigation Team (SIT) concludes its probe. Responding strongly, Gogoi refuted the accusations and challenged the CM to furnish proof. “The Chief Minister misleads the public with baseless claims. If he is serious, he should form two SITs this September,” Gogoi retorted.
Congress Leaders Rally Behind Gogoi
Backing the new state president, former Congress MP Ripun Bora said Sarma’s attacks stem from political insecurity. “The CM fears losing in 2026 if Gogoi is projected as the next Chief Minister. Despite misusing money, muscle power, and state machinery, he couldn’t defeat Gogoi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections,” Bora claimed.
Gogoi’s rise marks a generational shift in Assam Congress leadership and a continuation of the political legacy of his late father. Party insiders hope the fresh leadership will energize the Congress cadre and consolidate anti-incumbency sentiments against the ruling BJP.
The stage is now set for a fierce electoral battle in Assam, with the Congress rallying behind Gaurav Gogoi to take on a politically entrenched BJP ahead of the crucial 2026 polls.