Congress faces mounting criticism in Assam after the Bharatiya Janata Party challenged its decision to appoint Imran Masood to a key organisational role ahead of the state’s next Assembly elections. At a press conference at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhavan, the party’s state headquarters, spokesperson Kamal Kumar Medhi accused Congress of entrusting responsibility for the politically sensitive state to a leader from Uttar Pradesh whose past remarks have drawn national controversy.Medhi’s remarks came as Imran Masood arrived in Assam alongside Priyanka Gandhi, who has been tasked with strengthening the party’s campaign efforts in several states. Masood, a senior Congress leader from Saharanpur and a former Member of Parliament, has been named to the party’s Screening Committee for the Assam Legislative Assembly elections. The committee plays a critical role in scrutinising and finalising candidates, making its composition strategically significant.
Addressing reporters, Medhi questioned the rationale behind assigning such responsibility to Masood. He argued that the appointment demonstrated what he described as Congress’s lack of faith in its Assam unit and accused the party of sidelining local leadership. “Assam deserves leaders who understand its social fabric and political realities,” Medhi said, adding that importing figures from outside the region could alienate grassroots workers.
Masood’s political career has been marked by both electoral successes and controversy. He won the Saharanpur Lok Sabha seat in 2014 and has held organisational positions within the Congress. However, remarks he made during a campaign speech in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 led to legal scrutiny and drew widespread criticism at the time. Although he later apologised, those comments have continued to be cited by political opponents.
Congress leaders in Assam have defended the Screening Committee’s composition, stating that it reflects the party’s effort to combine national oversight with local insight. Party officials argue that central leaders often play a supervisory role in state elections to ensure internal coordination and adherence to national strategy. They maintain that the appointment does not undermine state leaders but strengthens the selection process.
The Assam Assembly election, scheduled for 2026, is expected to be fiercely contested. The BJP, which has governed the state since 2016 under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is seeking to retain power by emphasising development initiatives, infrastructure expansion and law-and-order measures. Congress, once the dominant political force in Assam, has struggled to regain its footing after consecutive electoral defeats.
Political analysts note that candidate selection will be crucial for both parties. Assam’s electorate is shaped by complex demographic, linguistic and regional factors, with issues such as citizenship, identity and economic development influencing voter sentiment. Screening Committees are tasked with balancing winnability, caste and community representation, and organisational loyalty when shortlisting aspirants.
Priyanka Gandhi’s visit to Assam signals Congress’s attempt to re-energise its cadre in the North-East. Although she does not hold a formal position in the party’s national executive at present, she has played an active role in election campaigns in Uttar Pradesh and other states. Her presence alongside Masood has provided the BJP with an opportunity to sharpen its critique of the opposition’s leadership choices.
Medhi further alleged that Congress was relying on “outsiders” to shape its strategy because of internal divisions within the state unit. He contended that such moves could weaken the party’s connection with local voters. BJP leaders have repeatedly portrayed Congress as disconnected from regional aspirations, particularly on issues linked to immigration and cultural identity.
Congress representatives counter that national-level involvement in state elections is standard practice across parties, including the BJP. They point to instances where central observers and leaders from other states have been appointed to oversee candidate selection in various Assembly contests. According to party insiders, Masood’s role will involve coordinating with Assam’s Pradesh Congress Committee and ensuring that candidate choices align with broader electoral objectives.
The debate also underscores the heightened political climate in Assam, where the ruling party has consolidated its position through alliances and welfare schemes. Since 2016, the BJP has expanded its organisational footprint in the North-East, positioning itself as a dominant force in the region. Congress, meanwhile, is attempting to rebuild alliances and regain lost ground by recalibrating its messaging and outreach.