GUWAHATI – In a major political shift just days before the state goes to the polls, Mankachar MLA Aminul Islam officially joined the Indian National Congress on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The move follows his high-profile exit from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and a brief, unsuccessful stint with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).
Key Political Developments
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Strategic Induction: Islam joined the party in the presence of AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh, former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Gaurav Gogoi.
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The AIUDF Fallout: Formerly the “second-in-command” of the AIUDF, Islam was suspended for six years in March 2024 for “anti-party activities” deemed detrimental to the interests of the party leadership.
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The AGP Detour: Before moving to Congress, Islam briefly joined the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), but reportedly exited after failing to secure a party ticket for the upcoming elections.
Vision for Mankachar
Following the induction, Islam described his discussions with Congress leadership as “fruitful and cordial,” emphasizing that the shift was motivated by the development needs of his constituency, Mankachar. He expressed confidence that this “new journey” would provide the necessary platform to address local administrative challenges.
Assam Election Watch 2026
The timing of this crossover is critical as Assam prepares for a high-stakes electoral battle:
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Polling Schedule: Elections for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, 2026.
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Counting Date: The results are scheduled to be declared on May 4, 2026.
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The Battle Lines: The state is witnessing a direct contest between the BJP-led NDA, seeking a third consecutive term under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and a revitalized Congress-led alliance.
Islam’s entry into Congress is expected to influence the minority-dominated voting blocks in Lower Assam, potentially altering the regional dynamics for the opposition as they seek to unseat the ruling government.
