Guwahati, Mar 16: Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday expressed confidence that voters would replace the BJP-led government headed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the upcoming Assembly elections, signaling the possibility of a Congress-led administration.

Addressing the media a day after the Election Commission of India announced the poll schedule, Gogoi described the incumbent government as “corrupt” and pledged to ensure equitable development and peaceful living under Congress rule. He said, “Assembly elections in Assam have been announced and I am fully hopeful that the people of Assam will bring a Congress-led government with full majority… The people of Assam will uproot and throw away the corrupt government of Himanta Biswa Sarma.”

The Election Commission has scheduled voting for all 126 Assembly constituencies in a single phase on April 9, 2026, with results to be declared on May 4. The Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately across the poll-bound areas.

The upcoming elections will see the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), seeking a third consecutive term under Sarma, contesting against a resurgent Congress aiming to regain power. The BJP has initiated its “Jan Ashirwad Yatra” outreach campaign, with Sarma covering 1,200 km in the first phase to engage with voters.

Congress released its second list of 23 candidates on Saturday, bringing the total to 65 constituencies, while leaving 15 seats including Bhowanipur-Sorbhoog, Bajali, Palasbari, Guwahati Central, Goreswar, Morigaon, and Barhampur for alliance partners.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NDA, comprising BJP, AGP, and UPPL, won 75 seats, with BJP securing 60, amid an 86.2% voter turnout from over 2.2 crore registered voters. In 2016, BJP won 60 seats, Congress 26, and AIUDF 13, with 83.9% turnout from 1.99 crore voters.