Assam: Political parties strategize as Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council polls approach

With the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) elections set for April 2, 2025, political parties have intensified their preparations. A total of 445,586 voters across 36 council constituencies will decide the future leadership of RHAC, with 245,850 voters in Goalpara district and 190,736 in Kamrup district.

Key political players—including Congress, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Rabha Hasong Jautho Moncho (RHJM)—have begun mobilizing their campaigns in anticipation of the polls.

Congress MLA Jadab Swargiary of Dudhnoi Constituency highlighted the party's role in RHAC’s formation in 1995 and its delimitation and elections in 2013. He alleged that over the last ten years of RHJM rule, people have grown dissatisfied with the RHJM-BJP alliance.

"The dictatorship of RHAC Chief Tankeswar Rabha is being rejected by both the Rabha and other communities," he claimed. He further accused the BJP government of misleading people with promises of Sixth Schedule status for RHAC while allegedly having no real intention of granting political power to the council. Swargiary expressed confidence that voters would turn to Congress as an alternative.

Congress’ Election Management Committee Co-Convenor, Suneet P. Marak, confirmed that the party will contest all 36 constituencies, with the final candidate list to be announced soon.

Meanwhile, RHAC Chief Tankeswar Rabha and BJP Assam State President Dilip Saikia held a crucial meeting on March 9, 2025, to discuss election strategies and alliance terms. Rabha emphasized the strong RHJM-BJP partnership since 2016, reaffirming their commitment to continuing this alliance.

"RHJM will contest in 30 constituencies, while BJP will field candidates in six—subject to further discussions. The NDA will govern RHAC, making it a Congress-free council," Rabha declared.

BJP President Dilip Saikia reiterated that the RHAC region remains sensitive, requiring sustained development efforts. He asserted that while the 30-6 seat-sharing ratio was agreed upon, their ultimate goal is to win all 36 constituencies.

On March 10, 2025, AGP announced its decision to contest independently in 12 to 15 constituencies, following a strategic meeting at the Boko AGP office. This move comes shortly after the BJP-RHJM meeting in Dudhnoi, despite AGP also being a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner.

Former Health Minister and AGP General Secretary Dr. Kamala Kalita confirmed that AGP members from Kamrup and Goalpara districts convened to finalize their strategy. “We will support NDA in the remaining constituencies and announce our candidates soon,” Kalita stated.

Meanwhile, AGP General Secretary Ramendra Narayan Kalita revealed that the party has formed a 13-member committee for the elections. He acknowledged RHJM’s alliance with BJP but left the door open for potential discussions, stating, “If RHJM wishes to engage in talks with us, we are open to discussions.”

During a press conference in Boko on March 11, AAP Assam State Vice President Anurupa Dekaroja sharply criticized the quadruple-engine government (BJP-led central, state, RHAC, and panchayat administration), accusing it of failing in key sectors like healthcare, education, and ethnic development.

Dekaroja declared that AAP will contest the RHAC elections in alliance with the Bhumiputra Unity Forum, vowing to offer a credible alternative to the NDA. She announced that AAP’s final candidate list for all 36 constituencies will be published on March 13, 2025.

Prominent Bhumi Putra Oikyo Mancha President Anil Rabha and other AAP leaders were also present at the press briefing.