Share of candidates with criminal cases declines slightly, while crorepatis rise sharply, underscoring growing role of money in elections

criminal, politician

Business Standard

The high-stakes elections to the 126-member Assam assembly will be held on Thursday, with most seats slated to witness a direct contest between the BJP-led NDA and the opposition coalition helmed by the Congress.
The BJP is eyeing a third straight term in power in these elections, while the Congress is looking to wrest the state, from where it was ousted in 2016.
A total of 722 candidates, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi, and AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi, are in the fray.
Polling will be held from 7 am to 5 pm across 31,490 polling stations in 35 districts. A total of 2.50 crore people, including 1.25 crore women and 318 from the third gender, are eligible to vote.
Among political parties, the Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. The AIUDF has 30 candidates, while NDA constituent

BJP Congress, political party, congress

The BJP is eyeing a third straight term in power in these elections, while the Congress is looking to wrest the state, from where it was ousted in 2016

Press Trust of India

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said the use of "abusive" language by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is "utterly shameful" and added Prime Minister Narendra Modi must clarify whether he endorses this "insult".
Sarma had triggered a row on Tuesday when he hit out at Kharge, saying that he was "speaking like a mad man" due to old age, after the latter put the onus on central agencies to probe the charges made against the Assam chief minister.
In a post in Hindi on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, "The kind of abusive and derogatory language used by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against the Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, is utterly shameful and unacceptable."
She said Kharge is one of the most senior leaders in the country and serves as an enlightened representative not only of the Congress party but also of the Dalits and the marginalised sections

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Priyanka Gandhi

Sarma had triggered a row when he hit out at Kharge, saying that he was 'speaking like a mad man' due to old age

Assam Assembly saw reduced sitting days but faster lawmaking, with most Bills passed within a week, raising concerns over limited debate and legislative scrutiny

Assam Assembly

Assam is set to vote on April 9 in a closely watched election, with the BJP aiming to retain power and the Congress hoping to regain ground in a state shaped by identity politics and alliances

Himanta Biswa Sarma, Himanta Biswa, Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has represented Jalukabari, which falls within the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat, consecutively since 2001

During rallies, BJP leaders focus more on the resolve to "drive out infiltrators", an allusion to the Bengali-speaking Muslims of Bangladeshi origin.  (File photo: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that while his government has carried out Operation Sindoor on terror camps in Pakistan, the Congress keeps on "singing to the tune of" the neighbouring country.
On the development front, he alleged that the Congress had always taken a myopic view on the matter, while the BJP works towards ensuring long-term development of the nation.
"The party always took short-term measures so that they could indulge in corruption. But the BJP looks far ahead while taking decisions for all-around development of all sections of society," Modi said.
Addressing an election rally here in Assam's Barpeta district, the prime minister said the Congress has "always sung to Pakistan's tune". "This Pakistan connection compromises with the nation's security, and we can never allow that," he said.
He also accused the Congress of neglecting the army by refusing to implement 'One Rank, One Pension'. But the BJP ensured that those who protect the nation get justice,

In this image posted on April 5, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. (narendramodi.in via PTI Photo)

PM alleged that the Congress had always taken a myopic view on the matter, while the BJP works towards ensuring long-term development of the nation

Welfare measures, wage hikes and land rights outreach intensify as parties compete for tea tribe votes amid persistent socio-economic challenges in Assam's plantation belt

The Darjeeling tea sector is already on a fragile footing as it grapples with climate change, labour absenteeism, declining yields and  rising competition from Nepal teas.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday claimed the Congress has concocted the charge that his wife has multiple passports and owns properties in Dubai, using false information from a Pakistani social media group.
He also alleged that Pakistan was trying to influence the outcome of the Assam elections.
At a press conference here, a day after Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi sought to know whether his wife or family owns property in Dubai, has companies in the USA, or has placed their assets in shell companies, Sarma said these charges have been made to influence the poll results, which is "punishable under the law".
The BJP leader also alleged that the documents the Congress used to make the allegations against his wife were sourced from a social media group "Pakistanis in Ajman", and her photo was morphed on a lost passport of a person from that country.
"I am concerned that they took the help of Pakistan. This is not a simple fraud case but a crime against

Cong's Pawan Khera has alleged that the Assam CM's wife has three passports of the UAE, Egypt and Antigua-Barbuda, two properties in Dubai and assets in shell companies

BJP blends welfare outreach to women with identity politics in Assam, as Himanta Biswa Sarma eyes a second term amid rising concerns over polarisation

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma campaigns in Sivasagar district’s Nazira ahead of the polls on April 9 photo: pti

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma campaigns in Sivasagar district's Nazira ahead of the polls on April 9 photo: pti

Assam Elections 2026 Updates: Get the latest news on Assam Assembly polls, opinion poll trends, key candidates, party-wise seat predictions, and real-time political developments. Stay updated with all major highlights on Business Standard.

Assam Elections 2026

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Assam Elections 2026 Schedule