Guwahati: In the maiden poll for the Silchar Municipal Corporation, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP emerged as the overwhelming winner, securing 34 out of 42 seats and cementing a solid majority in the newly formed civic body. The BJP alone won 32 wards, while its regional partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) added two more. The Congress managed just two victories, and independents took the remaining six.

The October 3 poll 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 released shortly thereafter.

BJP’s sweeping triumph

The NDA’s haul of 34 seats gives it a comfortable foothold in Silchar’s first elected municipal corporation. Out of 133 candidates, the BJP contested 38 wards and emerged victorious in 32, while the AGP secured two seats. The Congress also fielded candidates in 38 wards but could win only two, and six independents succeeded.

The BJP has lodged recount requests in two constituencies – one where an independent candidate won and another where the Congress emerged victorious. Election officials have yet to rule on these petitions.

Himanta Sarma ribs Congress

In the wake of the results, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized the Congress for its poor showing, pointing out that the election was decided on paper ballots, not EVMs. He argued that the outcome underscored public endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the BJP’s development agenda. Sarma highlighted the result on social media, branding it a decisive victory for the NDA in Silchar.

His comments come as the Congress continues to challenge the integrity of electronic voting and raise allegations about the electoral process. Sarma used the paper‑ballot outcome to counter the party’s narrative that its defeat stemmed from EVM tampering.

State BJP chief joins the attack

Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia also welcomed the results, stressing that the use of ballot papers invalidated the Congress’s long‑standing claims of EVM manipulation. Party workers celebrated at the BJP headquarters in Guwahati, framing the win as a boost to the party’s urban appeal in the Barak Valley.

Local civic concerns shaped the campaign

Beyond the political fireworks, voters were primarily concerned with everyday municipal issues – pothole‑filled roads, inadequate drainage, recurring water‑logging, erratic electricity supply, and unreliable drinking‑water provision.

Silchar’s civic body was upgraded to a 42‑ward municipal corporation in 2022 and became operational in June 2025, after years without an elected council. The NDA’s strong mandate now equips the ruling alliance to address these long‑standing urban challenges and serves as a barometer for upcoming elections across Assam.