Nagaon: With only a few days left before the Assembly elections, two constituencies in central Assam have drawn particular attention — Barhampur and Kaliabor. The question of candidature in these two seats has triggered friction between the two ruling alliance partners, AGP and BJP.
The disagreement has taken a more intense turn in Barhampur. Historically, both Barhampur and Kaliabor have been regarded as strongholds of the AGP.
Political Background of Kaliabor Assembly Constituency
In 1985, former Chief Minister Prafulla Mahanta won from the Kaliabor Assembly constituency. That year, he had also won from Nagaon. Since he could not retain both seats, he vacated Kaliabor. In the subsequent by-election in 1985, Gunin Hazarika emerged victorious.
From 1991 to 2006, AGP candidate Gunin Hazarika represented the constituency. Since 2006, Keshab Mahanta of the AGP has been the MLA from Kaliabor.
In the 2021 Assembly election, Keshab Mahanta, contesting as the BJP–AGP alliance candidate, secured 73,677 votes. Congress candidate Prasanta Saikia received 44,957 votes.
Political Background of Barhampur Assembly Constituency
Looking at the history of Barhampur, in 1985, AGP-supported candidate Girindra Kumar Baruah won the seat. From 1991 to 2021, former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta represented the constituency as its MLA. In practical terms, the seat functioned as an AGP stronghold for decades.
However, in 2021, due to the illness of former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, the constituency was left to the BJP under the alliance arrangement. BJP candidate Jitu Goswami won that election with 70,111 votes. Congress candidate Suresh Bora received 69,799 votes. The margin of victory was just 751 votes.
AGP’s Claim Over Barhampur
The Nagaon District Committee of the Asom Gana Parishad has raised a demand that the party should field a candidate from Barhampur in the 2026 Assembly elections. District President Manimadhav Mahanta has already stated before the media that Barhampur is an AGP stronghold and that the party has a solid organizational base there. Therefore, he argued, the AGP should contest the seat in 2026.
He pointed out that in the 2021 election, Barhampur was given to the BJP only because of the illness of former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta.
Mahanta stated, “In the 2021 Assembly election, the BJP candidate defeated the Congress candidate by only a small margin of votes.”
AGP workers in Barhampur have also warned that they will not allow the constituency to be handed over to the BJP again.
BJP’s Counter Position
On the other hand, Barhampur MLA Jitu Goswami has asserted that he will not relinquish the seat. Goswami said, “I do not pay attention to the comments of the Asom Gana Parishad president. In such matters, the statement of a district president is of no importance to me.”
He further warned that anyone who provokes him would have to face the consequences.
It is worth noting that Jitu Goswami is considered very close to Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. In contrast, Manimadhav Mahanta, the AGP’s Nagaon District President, is the brother of AGP Working President Keshab Mahanta.
Keshab Mahanta’s Position
AGP Working President Keshab Mahanta appears to be avoiding a direct stand on the issue. When asked by journalists about the Barhampur constituency, he said that since the party is bound by its alliance with the BJP, whoever receives the candidature under the alliance formula will be supported.
Allegations of Pressure Tactics
Amid AGP’s demand for Barhampur, the BJP is said to have devised a strategy to put pressure on Keshab Mahanta. According to discussions circulating locally, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma is believed to be behind this strategy.
As part of this development, Munna Sharma, an AGP leader considered close to Manimadhav Mahanta, has joined the BJP. Sharma told the media that the BJP wants the Kaliabor Assembly constituency.
He also stated that BJP workers in Kaliabor are seeking Jitendra Gaur — who won unopposed from the Dwarbagari Zila Parishad constituency in the last Panchayat elections — as their candidate.
Munna Sharma said that the BJP has a strong base in Kaliabor and that the AGP had won in the previous election by riding on the BJP’s support. Therefore, he argued, the constituency should go to the BJP this time.
This political maneuvering has reportedly put Minister Keshab Mahanta in a difficult position. It is being discussed that if the AGP insists on claiming Barhampur, the BJP may demand Kaliabor. Otherwise, the BJP will also seek Kaliabor.
AGP’s Shrinking Presence in Nagaon
It is notable that Nagaon district, once a strong base of regionalism, has seen the AGP’s influence decline significantly. At one time, the party held Kaliabor, Barhampur, Nagaon Sadar, Batadrava, and Raha Assembly constituencies.
Now, a pressing question arises. Will AGP Working President Keshab Mahanta concede to the BJP’s strategy and pressure in order to safeguard his own position, and hand over Barhampur? Or will he support the demand of the Nagaon District Committee and Manimadhav Mahanta to contest Barhampur?
It has become a complex situation for him. Any compromise over Barhampur could anger many AGP workers in Nagaon district.
The future of the AGP in Nagaon may well depend on how this issue is resolved — and on the stand ultimately taken by Keshab Mahanta.
Also Read: Raha Assembly Turns Battleground: BJP–AGP Tug of War, Congress in Disarray Ahead of 2026 Battle