Congress Finalizes 40 Candidates for High-Stakes Bodoland Council Elections

The opposition Congress party released its second list of nine candidates, completing its roster of 40 contenders for the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections scheduled for September 22, 2025, in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

The first list of 31 candidates, announced on August 30, included prominent names like Ranchana Basumatary, Rananjay Narzary, and Safiur Rahman. The second list features Sahen Chandra Brahma, Rafikul Islam Sheikh, and Zamser Ali, among others, as the party aims to challenge the ruling United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) in the 40-constituency council spread across Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Tamulpur, and Udalguri districts.

The BTC, currently governed by the NDA-aligned UPPL, which seeks a second term, faces a competitive electoral landscape. The BPF, aiming to reclaim power after losing in 2020, and the BJP, contesting independently for the first time to form the council government, intensify the race. With 26,57,937 voters—comprising 13,23,399 men, 13,34,521 women, and 17 others—set to vote across 3,359 polling stations, the elections are pivotal for regional governance.

The nomination filing deadline is September 2, with scrutiny on September 4, withdrawals by September 6, and vote counting on September 26, with potential repolling on September 24.

Congress’s strategic candidate selection reflects its intent to leverage local leadership to regain influence in the BTR, a region critical for Assam’s tribal politics. The party’s campaign focuses on addressing community needs and development, contrasting with UPPL’s governance record and BPF’s past tenure.

As the election nears, the diverse candidate slate, including figures like Mohini Mohan Basumatary and Bhebendra Nath Swargiary, underscores Congress’s commitment to inclusive representation, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle for control of the BTC.

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