Dilip Saikia, newly appointed president of Assam unit of ruling BJP, on Friday.
Credit: BJP, Assam
Guwahati: BJP in Assam on Friday appointed Dilip Saikia, a two-time Lok Sabha member and an experienced face as the president of its state unit, following which the ruling party set a target to win more than 100 seats in the 126 member Assembly in 2026.
Saikia, 51, replaced incumbent president Bhabesh Kalita, who is likely to contest from Rangiya constituency in the Assembly elections scheduled next year. Saikia was the only candidate to submit a nomination for the post.
With more three-decades-long experience in Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, RSS and BJP, Saikia is serving as national general secretary of BJP. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Mangaldoi in 2019 and was re-elected from Darrang-Udalguri (earlier known as Mangaldoi) in 2024. Saikia had joined RSS as a student and also served as the national head of the Nehru Yuva Kendra.
Saikia was a prominent face when BJP in Assam had just five MLAs. He has long experience of working at the party's grassroot level.
"I feel honoured today for being given the opportunity to lead the party. Personally, this is an emotional moment as I have worked for 30 years for the party, right from the mandal level to the post of national general secretary. My tenure is going to be challenging as we are getting ready for several elections ahead. Be it the panchayat elections or the Bodoland Territorial Council, other development council elections and the Assembly elections next year, I consider every election as a challenge," Saikia said as he kneeled down before party workers and assumed the charge on Friday.
100+ target set
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who announced Saikia's name as the new state president, said BJP and its allies expect to win more than 100 seats (out of 126) in the Assembly elections next year. "Although we will contest elections together with our allies, BJP under Saikia's leadership will try to win at least 75 seats on its own," Sarma said.
Saikia's appointment, party insiders told DH would help BJP counter the charge made by the Opposition parties that the leaders, who were with the party during its lean years, were sidelined by those who switched from Congress and other parties. "Saikia enjoys good rapport with all workers and leaders, including those who switched from other parties. This will help the party in the elections," said a former state president.
Several prominent leaders including CM Sarma and ministers had switched from Congress to BJP since 2015. BJP unseated Congress in 2016 and formed its first government with Sarbananda Sonowal as the CM. The BJP, however, replaced Sonowal with Sarma in 2021 when it retained power for the second straight term. Sarma along with several of his aides in Congress joined BJP in 2025.