ThePrint PoliticallyCorrect: Rahul Gandhi wants to jail CM Himanta but Congress has a Bihar-sized problem in Assam
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Apr 9, 2026 A deep dive into electoral strategies in Assam, from alliances aiming to unite Ahom and tea tribe voters to promises of ST status and wage hikes for tea garden workers. Discussion covers the fallout around Zubeen Garg, shifting party loyalties, delimitation shrinking Muslim-majority seats, and how welfare payments and candidate selection shape voter choices.
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Rahul Gandhi Reuses 2019 Playbook
- Rahul Gandhi is recycling his 2019 anti-corruption playbook to paint Himanta Biswa Sarma as corrupt and promise jail.
- Congress bets on anti-incumbency plus targeted attacks on Sarma's persona to erode his Teflon popularity.
Alliance Aims To Win Upper Assam
- Congress formed a broad alliance with five parties aiming to bring Ahom support by combining three Gogoi leaders.
- The coalition targets Upper Assam's ~40 seats where Ahom and Tea Tribe backing could be decisive.
Targeting Tea Tribes With ST Status And Wage Hike
- Tea Tribes shifted to BJP in 2016 and 2021, so Congress is promising ST status and wage hikes to woo them back.
- Rahul Gandhi promised tea garden wages of ₹450/day and ST status for six communities to attract Tea Tribe voters.