Raijor Dal Releases First Candidate List for Assam Polls

Raijor Dal Releases First Candidate List for Assam Polls

A day after the Congress unveiled its first list of candidates, the Raijor Dal on March 4 announced its maiden list of 11 nominees for the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly Elections 2026, signalling the party’s intention to expand its presence across the state.

The announcement comes as political activity intensifies across Assam, with Guwahati emerging as the centre of campaign planning and strategy discussions for multiple parties ahead of the high-stakes elections.

Raijor Dal has released its first list of 11 candidates for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. The list includes former Congress MLA Abdur Rashid Mandal from Goalpara East and Ramendra Chandra Barthakur from Jalukbari, indicating the party’s plan to contest key constituencies across Assam.

Abdur Rashid Mandal to Contest from Goalpara East

The most prominent name in the list is Abdur Rashid Mandal, a sitting MLA who recently left the Congress to join Raijor Dal.

Mandal has been nominated from Goalpara East. He earlier represented Goalpara West, but the seat was reserved for Scheduled Tribes following the 2023 delimitation exercise, prompting him to shift to a new constituency under a new party banner.

For Mandal, the upcoming election will serve as a test of his personal support base in the Goalpara region as he seeks to retain political relevance despite the change in constituency and party affiliation.

Dr Gyanashree Bora Enters Electoral Politics

Another notable name in the list is Dr Gyanashree Bora, who resigned from government service before joining the Raijor Dal.

She has been nominated from the Mariani constituency. Her entry into electoral politics has drawn attention as the party attempts to present a mix of educated professionals and grassroots leaders in its candidate lineup.

Political observers say such candidates may help parties broaden their appeal among younger and urban voters.

Jalukbari Contest Draws Attention in Guwahati

One of the constituencies closely watched in Guwahati’s political circles is Jalukbari, where Raijor Dal has fielded Ramendra Chandra Barthakur, another former Congress leader who recently joined the party.

Jalukbari is considered a politically significant constituency in Guwahati, often attracting strong candidates and high-profile electoral contests.

Barthakur’s candidature suggests the party is prepared to contest against major political figures in prominent seats within the state capital region.

Other Candidates in the First List

Along with the key names, Raijor Dal announced candidates for several constituencies across Assam.

The other nominees include:

• Anjal Talukdar – Manas
• Azizur Rahman – Dalgaon
• Mehboob Mukhter – Dhing
• Alok Nath – Tezpur
• Dulal Chandra Baruah – Sisibor Gaon
• Rahul Chetry – Margherita
• Lakhyajayoti Gogoi – Digboi
• Ratan Daw – Bokakhat

The list indicates the party’s effort to build a presence across multiple regions of the state ahead of the elections.

Political Activity Intensifies Ahead of 2026 Elections

With both Congress and Raijor Dal releasing candidate lists, political activity is expected to intensify across Assam.

In Guwahati, party headquarters and political offices have already begun preparing for campaign planning, strategy meetings, and candidate coordination as the election season approaches.

Observers note that smaller regional parties like Raijor Dal are seeking to position themselves as alternatives to larger national parties in the state’s political landscape.

What Happens Next

Raijor Dal is expected to release additional candidate lists in the coming weeks as preparations for the Assam Legislative Assembly Elections 2026 continue.

Political parties across Assam are also expected to increase grassroots outreach, public meetings, and campaign activities in the run-up to the elections.

Frequently Asked Questions