Guwahati: In the maiden poll for the Silchar Municipal Corporation, the BJP‑led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerged overwhelmingly victorious, bagging 34 of the 42 seats and securing a comfortable majority in the newly formed civic body. The BJP alone won 32 wards, while its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) added two more. The Congress managed only two seats, and independent candidates captured the remaining six.

The election, held on 3 October, was conducted with traditional ballot papers rather than electronic voting machines (EVMs). Voting took place across 40 wards; two BJP candidates were declared elected unopposed. Counting began on Tuesday, and the results were announced shortly thereafter.

BJP’s sweeping triumph

The NDA’s 34‑seat haul places it firmly in control of Silchar’s first elected municipal corporation. Out of 38 contested wards, the BJP won 32, with AGP picking up two. The Congress also contested 38 wards but could secure victory in only two, and six independents prevailed.

A total of 133 candidates vied for the seats. The BJP has lodged recount requests in two wards – one where an independent candidate won and another where the Congress emerged victorious – with the election officials yet to rule on the petitions.

Chief Minister Himanta Sarma targets Congress

Following the declaration of results, Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seized the moment to criticize the Congress. Highlighting that the poll used ballot papers, he remarked that the opposition’s poor showing could not be blamed on the absence of EVMs.

"The people have spoken clearly – they endorse Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and the BJP’s development agenda," Sarma wrote in a social‑media post, calling the outcome a "landmark victory" for the NDA in Silchar.

Sarma’s comments arrive as the Congress continues to raise concerns over electronic voting and alleged irregularities. By pointing to the ballot‑paper results, he aimed to undercut the opposition’s narrative.

State BJP chief joins the chorus

Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia also celebrated the win, using the ballot‑paper process to refute the Congress’s repeated claims of EVM manipulation. Party cadres gathered at the BJP headquarters in Guwahati, hailing the result as a boost to the party’s urban foothold in the Barak Valley.

Local civic issues shaped the campaign

Beyond the political fireworks, the election campaign was dominated by everyday urban concerns. Voters highlighted problems such as 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 decisive win now gives the alliance a clear mandate to address these long‑standing municipal challenges and serves as a bellwether for upcoming elections in Assam.