NDA Dominates Silchar's First Municipal Election, Congress Reduced to Two Seats

Guwahati: In the maiden election for the Silchar Municipal Corporation, the National Democratic Alliance headed by the BJP secured a resounding triumph, winning 34 of the 42 seats and establishing a solid majority in the newly formed civic body. The BJP captured 32 wards, while its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) added two more. The Congress managed only two victories, and independents took six.

The poll, held on 3 October, was conducted with traditional ballot papers rather than electronic voting machines (EVMs). Voting took place in 40 wards; two BJP candidates were elected unopposed. Results were declared after the count began on Tuesday.

BJP registers a commanding win

The outcome hands the NDA a decisive foothold in Silchar’s first elected municipal corporation. With 34 seats, the alliance enjoys a comfortable majority.

The BJP contested 38 wards and emerged victorious in 32, while AGP secured two seats. Congress also fielded candidates in 38 wards but could win only two. Six independents succeeded, bringing the total number of contestants to 133.

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

Himanta Sarma targets Congress

Following the announcement, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seized the moment to criticize Congress’s performance. Highlighting that the election used paper ballots, Sarma noted that the opposition failed to win even without the involvement of EVMs.

He further argued that the result reflects public endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the BJP’s development agenda. In a social‑media post, Sarma hailed the NDA’s showing as a major victory for the party in Silchar.

The chief minister’s comments come as the Congress continues to question electronic voting and raise concerns about the electoral process. Sarma used the paper‑ballot outcome to contend that the party’s poor showing cannot be blamed on EVMs.

BJP state chief also attacks Congress

Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia welcomed the results and similarly rebuked the Congress, pointing out that the Silchar poll was run on ballot papers and that the outcome undermines the opposition’s repeated claims of EVM tampering.

Party cadres celebrated the win at the BJP headquarters in Guwahati, framing the victory as a boost to the party’s urban standing in the Barak Valley.

Civic issues dominated the campaign

Beyond the political fireworks, local concerns drove the campaign. Voters voiced frustration over deteriorating roads, inadequate drainage, chronic water‑logging, unreliable electricity, and insufficient drinking‑water supply.

Silchar’s municipal body was upgraded to a 42‑ward corporation in 2022 and became operational in June 2025, after years without an elected civic authority. The NDA’s strong showing now gives the ruling alliance a clear mandate to address these long‑standing urban challenges. Analysts also see the result as a bellwether for upcoming elections in Assam.