'Congress can't win even on ballot papers': Himanta after BJP wins 32 wards in Silchar civic body polls, Congress gets 2 seats by narrow margin amid vote-chori campaign, Independents 6

Taking a dig at Congress, Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma said that the grand old party loses eve more when voting happens on ballot papers. The statement comes at a time when Rahul Gandhi is leading a 'vote chori' campaign against BJP and Election Commision. In a poll drubbing in Assam, the BJP-led NDA has won 34 of the 42 seats in the first Silchar Municipal Corporation election, giving the alliance a majority in the newly formed civic body. The BJP won 32 seats, while its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) secured two. Congress won just two seats and Independents took six seats. The election was held using ballot papers, with polling taking place in 40 wards on October 3. Two BJP candidates, Bijendra Prasad Singh from Ward 9 and Bhakti Sen Talukdar from Ward 20, were elected unopposed.

BJP wins 32 seats, Congress gets two, Independents 6

The BJP contested 38 wards and won 30 of the 40 seats that went to polling. Its two uncontested victories took the party's final tally to 32. AGP contested four wards and won two. Congress, which also fielded candidates in 38 wards, managed to win two seats. Independents secured six seats. A total of 133 candidates were in the contest. This included 52 Independents and one CPM candidate.

BJP seeks recount in two wards

The BJP has requested recounting in Wards 29 and 30. An Independent candidate won Ward 29, while Congress won Ward 30. Officials said a decision on the recounting request is yet to be taken. Some of the contests were decided by relatively narrow margins. Congress candidate Sakshi Banik won Ward 30 by 135 votes. In another close contest, Congress candidate Rajashree Goala defeated BJP's Debasmita Nath by 49 votes.


The six elected Independents were Hasim Uddin Barbhuiya from Ward 1, Dhrubojyoti Das from Ward 19, Hanifa Khanam Barbhuiya from Ward 24, Lovely Begum Mazumder from Ward 25, Shampa Deb Roy Dhar from Ward 29 and Bishutosh Nag from Ward 42.

Himanta Sarma reacts to Congress performance

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma used the ballot-paper election to take a swipe at Congress.


“See, Congress loses even on paper ballots. In fact, Congress loses even more on paper ballots. That’s why in EVMs, sometimes people go and press NOTA or get panicked seeing the machine and vote in the wrong place. But people are well-practiced in voting on paper ballots. So whenever voting happens on paper ballots, Congress loses even more,” Sarma said.

Sarma said the result reflected people's faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and his approach to urban governance under the Viksit Bharat initiative.

In a post on X, he wrote, “Another day, another win for @BJP4Assam! The people of Silchar have given us a thumping majority in the Silchar Municipal Corporation elections, held through BALLOT PAPER.” He also thanked Silchar voters and said his government remained committed to developing the city.

BJP says result puts focus on civic development

Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia also referred to the use of ballot papers while reacting to Congress's performance. "The Congress always complains about EVM tampering, but this election was held through ballot papers, and they are nowhere," he told reporters.

The BJP said the NDA's performance reflected support for its focus on development, connectivity and governance. Saikia also said the elected representatives would have the responsibility of working with the state and central governments on Silchar's development. For the new civic body, the focus now shifts from the election to local infrastructure and municipal services.

Roads, drainage and water supply were key campaign issues

Problems with roads, drainage, waterlogging, electricity supply and drinking water were among the issues raised during the campaign. BJP's Chandrima Deb, who won from Ward 23, said dealing with waterlogging and blocked drains in Bilpar would be among her priorities. She also highlighted the need to improve the supply of potable water.These issues are now among the key tasks facing the newly elected municipal representatives.

Silchar gets its first elected municipal corporation

The Silchar Municipal Board was upgraded to a 42-ward municipal corporation in 2022. The corporation became operational in June 2025. Silchar, the principal city of the Barak Valley, had gone six years without an elected civic body. The October 3 election and Tuesday's counting marked the formation of the city's first elected municipal corporation. The NDA's 34-seat tally gives the alliance control of the new civic body as it begins work on local infrastructure and municipal services.

Rahul Gandhi campaigning against Election Commission for Vote Chori'

In recent weeks, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has intensified his criticism of the Centre and the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging what he describes as “vote chori” or manipulation of electoral rolls and voting processes. Gandhi has raised concerns over voter list revisions, changes to voter registration procedures and the functioning of the Election Commission, while demanding greater transparency and accountability. The Congress and other INDIA bloc parties have staged protests in New Delhi and sought meetings with the poll panel, with Gandhi accusing the government and election authorities of undermining democratic institutions. The Election Commission has rejected these allegations, calling some of Gandhi’s claims “misleading”, while the BJP has dismissed the charges as politically motivated and defended the electoral process.