Guwahati, 01 March (HS): Political activities have intensified across Assam as the 2026 Assembly elections approach, with the prestigious Dispur constituency emerging as a key battleground. The upcoming polls are being considered historically significant as they will be the first Assembly elections held after the recent delimitation of constituencies. Whether five-time representative Atul Bora will retain his hold over Dispur has become a million-dollar question in the State’s political circles.
Dispur became the political nerve centre of Assam after hosting the Assembly’s Budget Session on March 16, 1973. Following delimitation, the constituency has undergone major territorial changes. Earlier comprising around 4.06 lakh voters, the old Dispur seat has now been bifurcated into 33 No. Dispur and 34 No. Dimoria constituencies. The present Dispur constituency has approximately 2.49 lakh voters and is now entirely urban in character, comprising 13 wards under the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC).
Several areas from the erstwhile West and East Guwahati constituencies have been merged into Dispur, while some previous Dispur localities now fall under Dimoria. Prominent areas under the restructured 33 No. Dispur seat include Lalganesh, Odalbakra, Jyotikuchi, Saukuchi, Lutuma, Kahilipara, Udayachal, Ganeshguri, Sreemantapur, Christian Basti, Anandanagar, Zoo Road, Japorigog (part), Beltola, Rukminigaon, Basistha, Latakata, Bhetapara, Ghoramara, Hatigaon and adjoining localities.
As per the latest electoral roll, Dispur has 2,43,176 voters, including 1,17,027 male, 1,26,137 female and 12 third-gender voters, with women outnumbering men. The number of polling stations has increased from 249 to 272.
The sitting MLA, Atul Bora of the BJP, has represented the constituency continuously since 2016. In the 2021 elections, he secured 1,96,043 votes, defeating Congress candidate Manjit Mahanta, who polled 74,386 votes. Earlier, in 2016, he had defeated senior Congress leader Akon Bora. Notably, Bora first represented the seat as an Independent in 1985 and later as an AGP candidate in 1991 and 1996. The constituency was represented by Robin Bordoloi of Congress in 2001 and by Akon Bora in 2006 and 2011.
Ahead of the 2026 polls, several BJP leaders and aspirants have intensified their groundwork in the constituency. Senior party leader and former state vice-president Jayanta Das has staked his claim, submitting his application at Vajpayee Bhavan. Other prominent leaders, including Manas Bora, Ranjit Mazumdar, Jayanta Deka, Janaki Khound, Umi Deka Baruah, Kankana Goswami and Ashish Bharali, are actively campaigning and engaging with voters.
With multiple contenders vying for nomination and political equations reshaping after delimitation, Dispur is poised for a high-stakes electoral contest. Whether the seasoned incumbent retains his dominance or a new face emerges victorious will be closely watched in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections.-----------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
