Guwahati: Cracks have surfaced within the Asom Sonmilito Morcha (ASM) barely two months after the Opposition alliance announced a united fight against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections.
The rift became evident on Wednesday after the Communist Party of India (CPI), a constituent of the Morcha, announced its decision to contest the elections independently in seven Assembly constituencies.
The CPI said it would field candidates in Sivasagar, Nazira, Titabar, Morigaon, Dhakuakhana, Demow and Gauripur. According to party sources, the proposed candidates include Bishwajit Saikia (Titabar), Dhiren Kachari (Dhakuakhana), Sheikh Mansoor Rahman (Gauripur), Sapan Deka (Morigaon), Krishna Gogoi (Demow) and Kanak Gogoi (Nazira).
In Sivasagar, four names — Subhasini Barua, Satyendra Gogoi, Adan Barua and Anup Gogoi are under consideration.
CPI state secretary Kanak Gogoi said the names were recommended by district units and would be finalised after the Election Commission announces the poll schedule.
“Constituencies with a single recommendation are not an issue. Where multiple names have been suggested, the party will take a decision once the election dates are declared,” he said.
Explaining the party’s decision, Gogoi cited a lack of response from the Congress on seat-sharing talks. He said the CPI had formally communicated its demand for seven seats to the Congress on January 2, following a party meeting held in Sivasagar on December 20.
“Over the last 25 days, there has been no response from the Congress. Meanwhile, we came to know that discussions were held with other Morcha partners such as Raijor Dal and the Assam Jatiya Parishad. We were also informed that questions were being raised about the relevance of allocating seats to the CPI. These developments have deeply upset us,” Gogoi said.
He added that while the CPI remains open to adjustments if a consensus is reached within the Opposition bloc, the party is fully prepared to contest the seven seats independently.
“If the Morcha agrees, we are willing to reconsider and even reduce the number of seats. But given the current situation, we are preparing to fight alone. The CPI has been undermined,” he said.
The CPI was among the seven parties that revived the Asom Sonmilito Morcha in November 2025, projecting it as a united platform to challenge the BJP over what they described as “atrocities and injustice”. However, just two months later, the Opposition alliance appears to be under strain.
With the CPI opting for a solo contest and allies Raijor Dal and the Assam Jatiya Parishad reportedly setting a January 31 deadline for the Congress to finalise seat-sharing arrangements, questions are being raised over the Morcha’s cohesion and its ability to mount a united challenge in the Assembly elections.
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