Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today made one of his most important political statements ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters, Sarma said that clearly that he will not contest the next election from the Jalukbari constituency, the seat he has represented for over two decades.
“The Chief Minister will not contest from Jalukbari. I will contest the election from another place,” Sarma said in a brief but significant remark. He also added that he does not “have any constituency this time,” which immediately triggered discussions across political circles.
Sarma said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would bring major changes in ticket selection for 2026. According to him, many sitting MLAs and even some senior leaders may not get tickets this time. He stressed that the party would give more space to young leaders. “Youth will be given BJP ticket. Youth and Mahila BJP members will be given the chance this time,” he said. 
Sarma’s announcement comes at a time when the BJP is already preparing for a large reshuffle in Assam. According to party sources, at least a dozen ministers and MLAs may lose their tickets. Many of them are long-time party faces who have held their seats for several years. The party is carrying out an internal review of every constituency, focusing on performance, public contact, and development work.
Party insiders say this is not a routine exercise. The BJP leadership is worried about possible anti-incumbency after nearly ten years in government. The idea now is to bring fresh faces and younger leaders to the front.
Last month, discussions picked up after a strategy report was leaked on local channels. The earlier slogan “Mission 100 Plus” is no longer being used. The party is now focusing on a new slogan, “Sanatan Sabhyavata,” which highlights Assam’s cultural identity and aims to appeal strongly to rural voters.
BJP’s state president Dilip Saikia has openly said that poorly performing MLAs should not expect tickets. A three-layer survey is being conducted booth-wise, district-wise, and then at the state level. These surveys check several points such as development progress, connection with voters, and even social media activity. Sources say that 12 to 15 MLAs may not be renominated.
The RSS, the BJP’s ideological partner, is also playing a role. Its workers are visiting villages and asking people about their local representatives. Their reports will be important in the final ticket list expected early next year.
