Civility stands out in parts of Assam amid bitter poll campaign

The 2026 Assembly elections in Assam have often turned verbally acrimonious, with candidates threatening their rivals or using inappropriate language. But a few are standing out for their civility by striking a courteous note.

Also read: Developments in poll-bound States in March 30, 2026

Jorhat—known as Assam’s “tea capital” and the fountainhead of Assamese intellectual and literary greats—is one such constituency. The others include Dispur, New Guwahati, and north-western Assam’s Tamulpur.

It is not unusual for younger candidates in these constituencies to touch the feet of their elder rivals, praise each other’s oratorical skills, or exchange pleasantries and hug each other during face-to-face interactions.

“Jorhat has among the highest literacy rates in Assam, and people here are generally well-behaved. They do not tolerate abusive or aggressive language. This reflects in the leaders they elect,” local environment activist Biju Sarma said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Hitendra Nath Goswami, 67, is seeking re-election from Jorhat. His main rival is 43-year-old State Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, who currently represents the Jorhat Lok Sabha seat. “My younger rival speaks well, but that does not mean his victory is guaranteed,” said Mr. Goswami, who has a law degree in addition to a Master’s in science, adding political criticism need not be disrespectful.

Mr. Gogoi, who holds a Master’s degree in public administration from New York University, returned the courtesy, wishing his BJP rival well but asserting, “Jorhat is yearning for a change.”

In Guwahati, more than 300 km west, Independent candidate Jayanta Kumar Das, 57, admitted that he has an axe to grind with his former party, the BJP, but not with his “gentleman” rival, former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi, 65. The two are in a triangular contest along with Congress candidate Mira Borthakur Goswami in Dispur.

In the adjoining New Guwahati, Congress candidate Santanu Borah, 44, and the BJP’s Diplu Ranjan Sarmah, 50, said they would work together for the development of the constituency, irrespective of the outcome.

A similar vibe prevails in north-western Assam’s Tamulpur, one of the 15 constituencies under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). Instead of targeting each other or their parties, the top two contestants—Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary of the BJP and United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) president Pramod Boro—have been concentrating on development agendas.

“Our upbringing does not allow us to be rude or indulge in personal attack. As public representatives, it is our responsibility to set a good example,” said Mr. Boro, 51, an elected member of the BTC and a Rajya Sabha member-elect. Mr Daimary, 52, concurred.