NDA Dominates Inaugural Silchar Municipal Election, Congress Reduced to Two Seats

Guwahati: In the maiden poll for the Silchar Municipal Corporation, the BJP‑led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) swept a decisive majority, securing 34 out of 42 seats. The BJP alone captured 32 wards, while its regional partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) added two more. The Congress managed only two victories, and independents won six seats.

The October 3 election was conducted on paper ballots rather than electronic voting machines (EVMs). Voting took place across 40 wards; two BJP candidates were declared elected unopposed. Counting began on Tuesday, after which the results were released.

BJP registers a commanding win

With 34 seats in its pocket, the NDA now commands a comfortable majority in Silchar’s first elected municipal body.

Out of 38 contested wards, the BJP emerged victorious in 32, and AGP secured two. The Congress also fielded candidates in 38 wards but could win only two, while six independents crossed the finish line. In total, 133 individuals vied for the seats.

The BJP has asked for recounts in two wards – one won by an independent and another where Congress prevailed – and the election officials have yet to rule on the requests.

Himanta Sarma targets Congress

Following the outcome, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seized the moment to criticize the Congress, pointing out that the party failed to win even when the poll was conducted on paper ballots rather than EVMs.

Sarma argued that the result underscores public endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the BJP’s development narrative. In a social‑media post, he hailed the NDA’s performance as a watershed victory for the party in Silchar.

His comments arrive as the Congress continues to challenge the credibility of electronic voting, claiming irregularities. Sarma used the ballot‑paper outcome to counter that narrative, insisting the poor showing cannot be blamed on the voting technology.

BJP state chief also attacks Congress

Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia echoed the chief minister’s sentiment, praising the result and accusing the Congress of hypocrisy for alleging EVM manipulation while losing on paper ballots.

Party cadres celebrated at the BJP headquarters in Guwahati, presenting the triumph as a boost to the party’s urban foothold in the Barak Valley.

Civic issues dominated the campaign

Beyond the political fireworks, local concerns drove the campaign. Voters highlighted problems such as deteriorating roads, poor drainage, recurring water‑logging, erratic electricity supply, and inadequate drinking‑water provision.

Silchar’s civic structure was upgraded to a 42‑ward municipal corporation in 2022 and became functional in June 2025, after years of operating without an elected body. The NDA’s landslide now gives the ruling alliance a clear mandate to address these longstanding municipal challenges, while also serving as a bellwether for upcoming contests in Assam.