As Assam gears up for its next assembly elections, scheduled just three months from now, the Congress has placed a high-stakes bet on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, appointing her as chairperson of the party’s screening committee for candidate selection. The move marks a significant moment for the party, which has struggled to regain its footing in the northeastern state after a decade in the political wilderness.

Assam, along with Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, is among the states facing crucial elections in 2026. While other states witness intense battles between regional heavyweights and the BJP, Assam represents a rare opportunity for Congress to reclaim a state it once dominated, provided it can mount a strong alliance with other opposition parties.

The Screening Committee and Priyanka Gandhi’s Role

Priyanka Gandhi’s appointment signals the Congress’ intent to leverage her political presence to revive its fortunes in the state. For the first time, a member of the Gandhi family has been entrusted with direct oversight of candidate selection in Assam, reflecting the party’s recognition of the critical importance of the upcoming elections.

In her new role, Priyanka Gandhi will not only finalise the candidate lists but also play a pivotal role in consolidating alliances with smaller regional parties. Senior party leaders Imran Masood, Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, and Sirivella Prasad have been named as members of the Assam screening committee, providing Priyanka with a team of experienced operatives to navigate the complex political landscape.

Analysts note that this dual responsibility—balancing candidate selection and alliance-building—will test both her strategic acumen and her ability to navigate Assam’s unique electoral dynamics. With the BJP firmly entrenched since 2016, Congress faces the formidable challenge of converting narrow margins in past elections into a decisive victory.

Assam: A Congress Stronghold in Decline

Assam’s political history has long been intertwined with the Congress. Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi led the state from 2001 to 2016, earning widespread popularity for his administration. His son, Gaurav Gogoi, currently Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is widely viewed as the natural heir to the Congress’ ambitions in the state. Gaurav is being positioned as the Congress’ chief campaigner and key electoral face, and Priyanka Gandhi’s active involvement is intended to amplify his appeal and counter the BJP’s narrative.

However, the task is fraught with difficulty. In the last assembly elections, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 75 seats out of 126, leaving Congress and its allies with 50 seats. The vote share difference between the two blocs was a mere 1.6 percent, underscoring that even small shifts in voter sentiment could determine the outcome.

The BJP, aware of the stakes, has not held back from aggressive campaigning. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has repeatedly targeted Gaurav Gogoi, including controversial claims regarding alleged links between his wife and foreign intelligence agencies—accusations the Gogoi family has categorically denied. Such rhetoric highlights the high-intensity environment that Priyanka Gandhi must navigate as she attempts to galvanize Congress’ base.

Priyanka Gandhi’s Track Record and Political Persona

Since formally entering active politics in 2019, Priyanka Gandhi has been a polarizing yet influential figure within the Congress. Her initial campaigns generated significant media attention, but her track record has been mixed. In 2022, under her supervision, the Congress faced a major setback in Uttar Pradesh, securing only two seats out of 403 in the state assembly elections. This performance raised questions about her ability to convert public recognition into tangible electoral victories.

Despite the setback, Priyanka has remained politically active and vocal. Over the past few months, she has taken the lead in Parliament and outside it, challenging the BJP on multiple fronts. From protesting voter roll revisions to defending the legacy of the national song Vande Mataram, and opposing the Centre’s G Ram G bill aimed at replacing MGNREGA, she has maintained a high profile. Her frequent interactions with senior BJP leaders and her media-friendly persona have further amplified her visibility.

Supporters argue that Priyanka’s strategic focus, combined with her political lineage, gives her a unique edge in energizing both party workers and voters. Party leader Imran Masood has recently claimed that Priyanka, if given the reins of national leadership, would respond with the decisiveness of her grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi—a remark that, while generating headlines, also highlights the internal narratives shaping Congress’ political positioning ahead of elections.

The Opposition Alliance Strategy

In Assam, the Congress strategy is centered on forming alliances with other opposition parties to consolidate anti-BJP votes. While seat-sharing discussions are ongoing, the idea is to avoid fragmenting the opposition vote, which was a critical factor in the BJP’s previous victories. Priyanka Gandhi’s role is expected to be instrumental in ironing out disagreements, ensuring that alliances are both politically viable and electorally effective.

Her direct engagement in Assam also underscores the party’s recognition of the state’s broader political importance. A strong showing here could set the tone for Congress’ performance in other key states like Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, where regional parties dominate and the BJP’s presence is growing.

Challenges Ahead

While the political calculus seems promising, multiple challenges remain. Assam’s electorate is highly diverse, with ethnic, religious, and regional considerations heavily influencing voting patterns. Additionally, the BJP has solidified its ground through robust campaigning, welfare schemes, and strong local leadership, including that of Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Priyanka Gandhi and the Congress must also contend with lingering organizational weaknesses, factionalism within the party, and the residual effects of past electoral defeats. Successfully navigating these obstacles will require not just candidate selection and alliance-building, but also grassroots mobilization, communication strategy, and effective voter outreach.

Looking Ahead

As the countdown to Assam’s elections continues, all eyes are on Priyanka Gandhi’s ability to translate her high-profile involvement into concrete electoral gains. For Congress, success in Assam would not only signal a potential revival in the Northeast but also provide momentum for the party as it prepares for multiple state elections in 2026.

The upcoming polls are more than a test of individual leadership—they are a litmus test for Congress’ organizational strength, strategic clarity, and electoral relevance. With a narrow margin between the BJP and Congress in previous elections, even small shifts in voter sentiment could be decisive. Priyanka Gandhi’s Assam role is thus central, carrying the weight of expectation not just for her, but for the party as a whole.

Whether she can help Congress end its decade-long drought in Assam remains to be seen, but her appointment marks a clear statement: the party is willing to place one of its most prominent leaders at the forefront in a bid to reclaim lost ground. In the coming months, the combination of political strategy, alliance management, and voter engagement will determine whether Congress can turn opportunity into victory in the state that once symbolized its dominance in India’s Northeast.

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