Guwahati: In the first ever poll for the Silchar Municipal Corporation, the BJP‑led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerged overwhelmingly victorious, winning 34 out of 42 seats. The BJP alone captured 32 wards, its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) added two, the Congress managed only two seats and independents took the remaining six.

The contest was held on 3 October using traditional ballot papers rather than electronic voting machines. Voting took place in 40 wards, while two BJP candidates were declared elected unopposed. Counting began on Tuesday and the results were declared shortly thereafter.

BJP clinches overwhelming majority

With 34 seats in its corner, the NDA now commands a comfortable majority in Silchar’s newly formed civic body. The BJP fielded candidates in 38 wards and emerged victorious in 32 of them, with AGP winning two seats. The Congress also contested 38 wards but could secure only two victories, while six independents won their contests. A total of 133 individuals entered the fray.

The BJP has lodged requests for a recount in two wards – one where an independent candidate won and another where the Congress prevailed – and the election officials have yet to rule on those petitions.

Chief Minister Himanta Sarma slams Congress

Following the announcement, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seized the moment to jab at the Congress, pointing out that the party failed to win any seats even when the vote was cast on paper rather than electronic machines.

He further asserted that the outcome reflected popular endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the BJP’s development agenda. In a social‑media post, Sarma hailed the result as a “landmark victory” for the NDA in Silchar.

The chief minister’s comments come as the Congress continues to question the integrity of electronic voting, using the paper‑ballot outcome to argue that its poor showing cannot be blamed on EVMs.

Assam BJP president joins the attack

State BJP chief Dilip Saikia also welcomed the triumph, emphasizing that the paper‑ballot process disproves the Congress’s repeated claims of EVM manipulation. He praised the party workers for their efforts and framed the win as a boost to the BJP’s urban foothold in the Barak Valley.

Local civic concerns drove the campaign

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

Silchar’s municipal structure was upgraded to a 42‑ward corporation in 2022 and became operational in June 2025 after years without an elected civic body. The NDA’s sweeping mandate now gives the alliance a clear charge to address these long‑standing problems, and the result is being read as a bellwether for upcoming elections across Assam.