As I observe the political currents flowing through Assam, particularly with the 2026 Assembly elections looming, my thoughts often turn to Gaurav Gogoi. Since his decisive victory in Jorhat in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and his subsequent appointment as the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President in May 2025, he has indeed been relentless. His energy is palpable, his criticism of the ruling dispensation sharp, and his intent to revitalize the Congress undeniable. Yet, despite his admirable work ethic, I can’t shake the feeling that he faces an incredibly steep, almost insurmountable, task.
His win in Jorhat was a significant feather in his cap, proving his individual appeal even in a constituency the BJP had set its sights on. And since then, his journey from Sivasagar to Nagaon, covering numerous constituencies to connect with the grassroots, shows a leader determined to hit the ground running. He’s been vocal on issues that truly matter to the common Assamese – unemployment, inflation, and development, providing a clear alternative narrative to the government’s rhetoric. His rising national profile as Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha only adds to his stature.
However, to carry a party that has been lagging for so long, and to realistically form a government in 2026, feels like a distant dream. The Congress in Assam, for all of Gaurav’s individual strength, still grapples with deep-seated organizational weaknesses, a lack of cohesive strategy at every level, and a historical disconnect from a significant portion of the electorate that has shifted allegiance. While he might inspire hope, the machinery needed to translate that hope into votes, across 126 assembly constituencies, is a mammoth undertaking that simply isn’t built overnight.
That’s not to say we can completely rule him out. Politics, as they say, is the art of the possible, and fortunes can turn. Perhaps the Congress under his leadership could certainly do a little better than their previous outings, perhaps even secure a few more seats, making their presence felt more strongly in the assembly. He’s injecting a much-needed dose of dynamism into a largely moribund party.
Moreover, the recent fierce hand-to-hand combat between BJP and AGP workers in Golaghat offers a telling indication that all isn’t entirely well within the ruling alliance. Such public displays of friction, even if localized, hint at underlying tensions and potential vulnerabilities that a sharp opposition could exploit. If these cracks widen, it might just offer a sliver of opportunity.
But even with internal squabbles in the ruling camp, the BJP’s organizational might and the charisma of the Chief Minister remain formidable challenges. For Gaurav Gogoi to truly lead the Congress to power next year, he’d need not just hard work, but a miraculous shift in political tectonics. While I applaud his efforts and believe he can undoubtedly improve Congress’s standing, forming the government in 2026, from where they stand today, remains a formidable aspiration, rather than a probable outcome.
