Saikia vows to strengthen BJP’s grassroots presence, emphasizes teamwork for electoral success in 2026 assembly polls
Guwahati, Jan 17: Dilip Kumar Saikia officially took charge as the new Assam BJP president, receiving the party’s flag from outgoing president Bhabesh Kalita during the fourth day of the “Sangathan Parba” at Vajpayee Bhawan, Basistha in Guwahati on Friday.
Union Minister for Cultural Affairs Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced Saikia’s appointment in the presence of key leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, Assam BJP in-charge Harish Dwivedi, organizing secretary J Ravindra Raju, and other senior party leaders.
Union Minister for Cultural Affairs Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, announcing Saikia’s appointment, described the moment as the beginning of a “new chapter for Assam BJP” and expressed confidence that the party would reach “a new dimension” under his leadership.
In his address, Saikia urged party leaders and workers to operate as a unified force to secure victory in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections, as well as the panchayat and autonomous council polls.
“We must work together to place Assam among the top five states in the country. BJP will continue to lead from the front, making the vision of our founders a reality,” Saikia asserted.
Stressing his commitment to indigenous rights, he underscored that BJP’s core ideology extends beyond electoral victories.
“Winning elections is crucial, but our primary objective remains upholding the principles on which the BJP and Jana Sangh were founded,” he stated.
Saikia emphasized his leadership style, declaring that he would prioritize “niti parikrama” (ideological commitment) over “neta parikrama” (leader-centric politics). He called on party workers to embrace the BJP’s foundational values and strengthen its grassroots presence.
Drawing inspiration from the RSS centenary, he set an ambitious target, “RSS is completing 100 years this year, and we must strive to cross 100 seats in the next Assembly elections.”
Acknowledging the weight of responsibility, Saikia affirmed his belief in teamwork. “The party has entrusted me with a heavy responsibility. While the president presides, the team decides. Our collective efforts will ensure success in the upcoming elections.”
Reflecting on the BJP’s national rise, he recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 1980 prophecy that “darkness will fade, the sun will rise, and the lotus will bloom.” Saikia noted that this vision had materialized, with the BJP now spanning 7.5 lakh villages and 750 districts across 45 states.
Quoting a poem by Jyotiprasad Agarwala, he highlighted the party’s continuity across generations.
Former Assam BJP presidents Ranjeet Kumar Dass (now cabinet minister), Siddhartha Bhattacharyya (MLA), and Narayan Barkataky (ex-MP) attended the event.
Saikia, who filed his nomination on the third day of the “Sangathan Parba”, was officially declared the new state president on Friday. Alongside his appointment, several Assam leaders were nominated to the BJP’s national council.
