Dispur

The political contest for Assam’s power centre, Dispur, has taken an unexpected turn ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, setting up a high-profile clash within the BJP’s own ranks.

Former Congress stalwart Pradyut Bordoloi is now contesting the seat as a BJP candidate, pitted against ex-BJP leader Jayant Kumar Das, who is in the fray as an independent after being expelled from the party. The contest has evolved into a fierce face-off between a recent entrant and a long-time party loyalist.

Bordoloi, who recently switched sides, has been fielded by the BJP to capitalise on his administrative experience and wider appeal. On the other hand, Das, denied a ticket, chose to rebel and is now campaigning independently, accusing the BJP of drifting away from its original ideology and resembling the Congress.

Adding another dimension to the contest, Mira Borthakur Goswami is representing the Congress, turning the race into a triangular battle in one of the state’s most prominent constituencies.

A key seat within Guwahati, Dispur has a diverse voter base, including government employees, urban professionals, and indigenous communities. Once a Congress stronghold, the constituency shifted decisively towards the BJP in recent years, reflecting changing political dynamics in the state.

The BJP’s decision to drop sitting MLA Atul Bora and field Bordoloi has sparked internal dissent. Das, who enjoys support among party workers, is attempting to consolidate this discontent and split the BJP’s traditional vote base.

Bordoloi, meanwhile, is campaigning on the BJP’s “double engine” development plank, backed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, aiming to combine his personal political influence with the party’s organisational strength.

Despite the intense rivalry, both leaders have maintained cordial personal relations, underlining the close-knit nature of Assam’s political landscape.

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As polling approaches, the Dispur contest is shaping up as a test of whether voters will back the party’s official candidate or rally behind a rebel with deep roots in the organisation.