Guwahati, 03 December (HS):

The Congress-led Opposition’s proposed alliance for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections remains in limbo even after a key meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. Senior Assam Congress leaders met the central leadership in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, but the issue of alliance formation was not discussed during the deliberations, Congress party sources revealed today.

The meeting, held at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, saw the central leadership entrusting Assam PCC president Gaurav Gogoi with the responsibility of taking a decision on alliance matters. Rahul Gandhi made it clear that the proposal placed before him would be examined by the high command before any final call.

Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia, APCC president Gaurav Gogoi, former president Bhupen Borah, and MPs Rokibul Hussain and Pradyut Bordoloi attended the discussion alongside Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal.

Meanwhile, Gaurav Gogoi has refrained from making any categorical comment on the alliance issue on Wednesday. With only three months left for the elections, the Congress is yet to outline its strategy or clarify the terms of engagement with other Opposition parties in Assam.

At a time when the ruling BJP has intensified electoral groundwork across every booth, the Congress remains undecided on forming an alliance with its prospective partners. Seat-sharing too continues to be a matter of uncertainty, leaving the broader Opposition front without a clear roadmap.

Given the current scenario, indications suggest that forging an Opposition alliance ahead of the 2026 polls may turn into a major challenge. The AIUDF has already taken a swipe at the Congress for its ambiguity, even questioning whether Akhil Gogoi is part of the alliance negotiations or not.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash