Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 3 described the upcoming panchayat elections in the newly delimited Jalukbari constituency as a “test match” ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls, a seat he has held for nearly a quarter century.
Campaigning vigorously for BJP and its allies, Sarma addressed four rallies in one day across areas under the redrawn Jalukbari seat, ahead of the second and final phase of panchayat polls scheduled for May 7.
Speaking at a rally in Gorol—formerly part of the Guwahati West constituency—Sarma drew a parallel between the grassroots election and a selection test before matriculation. “This panchayat election is like a test for me. Only if I pass this test will I get the party ticket for next year’s final from Jalukbari,” he told the crowd, stressing the importance of voter support in establishing a clean and responsive governance model.
Reflecting on his political beginnings, Sarma recalled contesting unsuccessfully from Jalukbari at the age of 27 in 1997. He secured the seat in 2001 and has since increased his victory margin in every subsequent election, with a record 1.04 lakh margin in the 2021 Assembly polls.
With the delimitation exercise in 2023 redrawing constituency boundaries, Sarma highlighted his ongoing commitment to building direct connections with constituents in newly included areas. He also used the occasion to target the Congress party, accusing past governments of neglecting development and focusing only on token handouts such as lungis, dhotis, mosquito nets, yarn, and blankets.
In contrast, Sarma listed multiple initiatives of the BJP-led government, including free foodgrain distribution, cashless medical care, education support, and cash incentives for women and youth. He urged voters to elect BJP and AGP candidates in the panchayat polls, promising to deliver corruption-free governance starting from the grassroots level.
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