Assam Backs Himanta Again as NDA Surges Ahead, Congress Stumbles in Early Trends

The early contours of Assam’s electoral verdict are beginning to settle, and they point firmly in one direction. As counting progresses across the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has taken a commanding lead, putting it well on course to return to power for a third consecutive term.

Data from the Election Commission of India around 10:55 am showed the NDA ahead in 98 of the 126 seats, comfortably above the majority mark of 64. The BJP alone was leading in 78 constituencies, while the Congress lagged behind at 25, with the broader Opposition bloc struggling to close the gap.

At the centre of this emerging mandate is Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has once again asserted control over his political bastion. In Jalukbari, Sarma was leading Congress candidate Bidisha Neog by more than 7,700 votes after the initial rounds of counting. The constituency, which will see 18 rounds in total, has remained firmly in his grasp since 2001.

In Jorhat, the contrast was stark. Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi, contesting his first Assembly election, was trailing BJP’s Hitendra Nath Goswami by over 9,200 votes after five rounds. Goswami, a five-time MLA, appeared on track to extend his hold over the seat, leaving the Congress’s most visible face in the state on uncertain ground.

Numbers Tell a Clear Story

The broader trends suggest that the NDA’s lead is not limited to isolated pockets but spreads across regions. With counting underway since 8 am at centres across all districts, the consistency of the alliance’s performance has made the early picture difficult to ignore.

A total of 722 candidates are in the fray, with the outcome of the April 9 polling now unfolding round by round. While early leads can shift, the margin between the NDA and the Opposition indicates a structural advantage rather than a temporary surge.

Exit polls largely predicted an edge for the BJP-led alliance, and the numbers so far appear to validate those projections.

Jalukbari Reinforces a Familiar Pattern

Jalukbari continues to reflect a pattern that has held for over two decades. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has won the seat five consecutive times, first as a Congress leader and later under the BJP banner, has retained a consistent voter base that translates into strong leads on counting day.

This year’s voter turnout in the constituency was over 81.68 percent, with polling largely peaceful. Local concerns such as infrastructure, urban growth, and flood management shaped the campaign, but leadership remained the decisive factor.

A Difficult Day for Congress

For the Congress, the early trends go beyond a numerical setback. The party had entered the contest projecting confidence of regaining power, but the gap in key constituencies suggests a deeper challenge in reconnecting with the electorate.

Leaders have urged patience, pointing out that counting is still underway, yet the initial rounds have already set a tone that will be difficult to reverse.

More Than Just a Lead

As more rounds are counted, the outcome will become clearer, but the direction of the mandate is already visible. The NDA’s performance reflects not just electoral arithmetic, but a consolidation of political support that has built steadily over successive elections.

If these trends hold, Assam will not simply be returning the same government. It will be reaffirming a leadership model that continues to dominate the state’s political landscape, with Himanta Biswa Sarma firmly at its centre.