Dilip Saikia Nominated as New Assam BJP Chief Amid Leadership Transition

Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia is poised to become the next Assam BJP president. He emerged as the sole nominee for the position by Thursday, the deadline for nominations, according to a party leader. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the official announcement would be made on Friday. Saikia, a former BJP national general secretary, represents the Darrang-Udalguri constituency in his second term.

Saikia's nomination was supported by Chief Minister Sarma, current state president Bhabesh Kalita, and others. "Dilip Saikia has filed nomination, which has been supported by me, our incumbent state president Bhabesh Kalita and others. In all probability, he will be announced elected unopposed tomorrow," Sarma told reporters at the party's state unit headquarters.

Assam BJP Leadership Transition

The announcement of Saikia as the new state president is scheduled for 11:30 am on Friday. Alongside this, the names of Assam's national council members will also be revealed. Saikia will assume his new role on the same day. Chief Minister Sarma remarked that this marks a significant step in the BJP’s Sangathan Parv, bringing them closer to appointing a national president.

Outgoing state BJP president Bhabesh Kalita received praise from Sarma for his leadership. "Under him, we have won the Lok Sabha polls, byelections, municipal elections and also enrolled over 60 lakh primary members," Sarma noted. Kalita took over as state party chief in June 2021 but opted out of this election to focus on contesting in the next assembly polls.

Nomination Process and Support

Dewan Dhruba Jyoti Maral, a state BJP spokesperson, confirmed that Saikia submitted his nomination to Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the central leader overseeing the election. The nomination deadline was 7 pm on Thursday. Saikia's nomination included 20 proposers and supporters, with notable signatories like outgoing president Kalita, CM Sarma, and deputy speaker Numol Momin.

Saikia, aged 51, has held various roles within the BJP and its youth wing. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 2019. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat arrived in Guwahati on Thursday evening to oversee proceedings. Other central leaders like Harish Dwivedi, Sambit Patra, and Sunil Bansal were involved in consultations with state leadership to reach a consensus on Saikia's candidacy.

The decision not to allow any mandal, district or state president of Assam BJP to contest in the 2026 assembly polls influenced Kalita's choice to step aside. He expressed his wish to continue serving his Rangia constituency instead of pursuing another term as state president.