Congress bets on Gaurav Gogoi to revive Assam fortunes ahead of 2026; Bhupen Borah to lead campaign strategy

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 26, 2025

In a significant leadership overhaul ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Monday named Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi as the new President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC).

The decision signals a calculated generational shift within the party’s state leadership and comes as Congress attempts to rebuild its base and regain relevance in a state where it has faced setbacks in recent elections.

Outgoing APCC chief Bhupen Kumar Borah, who held the post since 2021, has been appointed to lead the party’s Campaign Committee for the upcoming polls—a move seen as recognition of his persistence during a politically difficult period for the party in Assam.

The appointments were made official through a press release issued by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, who confirmed the changes take effect immediately as part of a broader organisational shake-up.

As part of the revamp, the AICC has also named three working presidents to assist Gogoi in managing party affairs – Jakir Hussain Sikdar, Roselina Tirky (relieved of her AICC Secretary duties) and Pradip Sarkar.

In addition, the party has reconstituted crucial state-level committees including the Coordination Committee, Manifesto Committee, Publicity Committee, and the Election Management Committee, signalling a full-fledged campaign push in the run-up to 2026.

Taking to social media after the announcement, Gogoi expressed gratitude to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Rahul Gandhi, K.C. Venugopal, and Jitendra Singh, and acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor Bhupen Borah.

“I would not have been here without the guidance of my parents and the support of my family, especially my wife and children,” Gogoi posted on X.

“It is a blessing to work with so many dedicated and inspiring senior leaders and workers in the Congress party in Assam. Their wisdom and dedication have taught me a lot.”

A three-time MP and son of former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Gaurav Gogoi is widely viewed as a young, articulate leader with national exposure and a clean image—qualities that the party hopes will resonate with urban and middle-class voters and re-energize its grassroots network.

His appointment is being read as a strategic pivot towards a more dynamic, campaign-focused structure, with Gogoi expected to blend experience with youth outreach and ideological clarity. Borah’s shift to campaign leadership allows the party to retain his organisational acumen while handing over the reins to a new face.

Party insiders say the changes reflect Congress’s determination to mount a serious challenge to the BJP’s dominance in the state and regain lost political ground in the Northeast.

With the groundwork being laid and leadership responsibilities restructured, the Congress appears poised to launch an aggressive and focused campaign. Whether this fresh leadership formula will translate into electoral gains remains to be seen, but the message is clear: Congress is gearing up for a high-stakes political comeback in Assam.