GUWAHATI : The Indian National Congress is set to miss out on the post of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assam Legislative Assembly after winning only 19 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections-falling short of the mandated threshold for formal recognition.

Although its ally, Raijor Dal, secured two additional seats, taking the combined opposition tally to 21, existing rules do not allow for the aggregation of alliance numbers when determining LoP eligibility.

The requirement, reiterated earlier by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, stipulates that a single party must independently win at least 24 seats under its own symbol to qualify for the position.

Sarma had clarified the criteria on February 26, adding that beyond the numerical threshold, the party must also secure representation from at least six indigenous constituencies. At the time, he had expressed skepticism over whether the Congress could meet these conditions amid the prevailing political landscape.

He also dismissed appeals from parties such as the Assam Jatiya Parishad and Raijor Dal to grant LoP status to Congress based on alliance backing. “The rule is clear. Congress must win 24 seats on its own symbol. Only then can they claim the LoP post,” Sarma had stated.

With the Congress falling short of the required benchmark, Assam is likely to have an assembly without a formally recognised Leader of the Opposition. This development could impact legislative functioning by limiting the opposition’s procedural influence in debates, as well as its role in key committees and oversight mechanisms.