1996 Assam Legislative Assembly election

Indian state election June 2022 June 2022 1996 Assam Legislative Assembly election India legislative Popular no 1991 Assam Legislative Assembly election 1991 27 April 1996 2001 Assam Legislative Assembly election 2001 122 seats in the Assam Legislative Assembly 62 78.92% 100px Asom Gana Parishad The former Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Prafulla Kumar Mahanta calling on the Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge), Dr. Mahesh Sharma, in New Delhi on July 20, 2017 (cropped).jpg 100 80 100 10 0 Prafulla Kumar Mahanta 59 29.70% 40 Indian National Congress Hiteswar Saikia with Shankar Dayal Sharma (cropped).jpg 100 80 100 10 10 Hiteswar Saikia 34 30.56% 32 CM Indian National Congress Bhumidhar Barman Asom Gana Parishad Prafulla Kumar Mahanta Elections to the Assam Legislative Assembly were held in April 1996 to elect members of 122 constituencies in Assam, India. The Indian National Congress (INC) won the popular vote, but the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) won the most seats and Prafulla Kumar Mahanta was appointed as the Chief Minister of Assam for his second term.https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/03/09/former-cm-prafulla-mahanta-not-to-contest-assam-polls/ Former CM Prafulla Mahanta not to contest Assam polls Mahanta has represented the seat for as many as seven terms from 1985, having served as chief minister for two terms from 1985-90 and 1996-2001, in between. The Shillong Times 9 March 2021 14 April 2022http://assamassembly.gov.in/cm-list.html Assam Legislative Assembly - Chief Ministers since 1937 Assam Legislative Assembly 13 May 2006 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060513013923/http://assamassembly.gov.in/cm-list.html 13 May 2006 The number of constituencies was set as 126, by the recommendation of the Delimitation Commission of India,https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3939-dpaco-1976/ DPACO (1976) - Archive Delimitation Orders Election Commission of India December 9, 2020 but elections were held in only 122 constituencies. The constituencies of Dispur, Dergaon, Nazira and Margherita did not go to polls immediately, but they had polls in November 1996. Background In 1991, the Indian Army was tasked with executing Operation Rhino against the United Liberation Front of Assam.https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19911015-various-army-operations-launched-against-ulfa-814916-1991-10-14 Various army operations launched against ULFA Farzand Ahmed India Today 1991-10-15 2026-10-22 In 1993, the six-year agitation by the All Bodo Students' Union in Assam demanding a separate state within India ended with a peace accord that established an autonomous district council.George, Sudhir Jacob. “The Bodo Movement in Assam: Unrest to Accord.” Asian Survey, vol. 34, no. 10, 1994. pp. 878–92. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2644967. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026. The Chief Minister of Assam, Hiteswar Saikia, died in Delhi, on 22 April 1996, only 5 days before the election.Chandra Nath Boruah Assamese Response to Regionalism: A Study Based on Electoral Politics https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Assamese_response_to_regionalism/r21CqfspU1MC?hl Mittal Publications 2009 9788183242813 64 Nevertheless, the AGP's coming back to the Janta Bhawan, Dispur was also helped partially by the sudden demise of chief Minister Hiteshwar Saikia on 22nd April 1996 in New Delhi which shocked the party cadres of the Congress(I). Bhumidhar Barman was sworn in as interim chief-minister, but as the Indian National Congress failed to form the government after the elections, his tenure lasted 22 days. The party's defeat was attributed to Saikia's death, which unravelled the electoral coalition he had built up in opposition to the resurgent Asom Gana Parishad.https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19960531-fragile-victory-753113-1996-05-30 FRAGILE VICTORY Ruben Banerjee India Today 1996-05-31 2026-10-22https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19960531-elections-1996-agp-bounces-back-to-defeat-a-weak-congress-in-assam-832980-1996-05-30 Elections 1996: AGP bounces back to defeat a weak Congress (I) in Assam Ruben Banerjee India Today 1996-05-31 2026-10-22https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19960430-elections-1996-assam-seems-headed-for-a-hung-assembly-835101-1996-04-29 Elections 1996: Assam seems headed for a hung assembly Ruben Banerjee India Today 1996-04-30 2026-10-22 In 1991, former Home Minister, Bhrigu Kumar Phukan, formed the Natun Asom Gana Parishad (NAGP) in opposition to the policies of Asom Gana Parishad leader, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. Phukan merged the NAGP back with the AGP before the 1996 elections.https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Election_Politics_in_Assam/4oKKAAAAMAAJ?hl Election Politics in Assam: Issues, Trends, and People's Mandate Ahmed Abu Nasar Saied Baruah Joydeep Bhuyan Ratna 2006 978-8183700573 96 Akansha Publishing House The AGP formed also a five-party pre-poll electoral alliance before the elections with the CPI, the CPI(M), the ASDC and the UMFA.India Votes, Elections 1996: A Critical Analysis Meenu Roy 1996 9788171009008 Deep & Deep Publications https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Wm2dVWi-2I4C 4 July 2022 102 Parties and alliances colspan="6" Indian National Congress Party Flag Symbol Leader Seats Indian National Congress 50px 50px Hiteswar Saikia 122 colspan="6" Asom Gana Parishad AGP-led Alliance Party Flag Symbol Leader Seats Asom Gana Parishad 50px Prafulla Kumar Mahanta 95 Communist Party of India (Marxist) yes 50px 50px 10 Communist Party of India 50px 50px 9 Autonomous State Demand Committee Jayanta Rongpi 5 United Minorities Front, Assam 110px Kalipada Sen 3 Total122 Result File:India Assam Legislative Assembly 1996.svg Indian National Congress 2778627 34 32 Asom Gana Parishad 2700934 59 40 Bharatiya Janata Party 946236 4 6 All India Indira Congress (Tiwari) 337668 2 New Autonomous State Demand Committee 179877 5 1 Communist Party of India 177750 3 1 Communist Party of India (Marxist) 176721 2 0 United Minorities Front, Assam 105408 2 New Others 105471 0 0 Independents 1584109 11 4 4 471632 12119125 ECIhttps://www.eci.gov.in/files/file/4004-assam-1996/ Statistical Report on General Election, 1996 to the Legislative Assembly of Assam Election Commission of India 10 February 2022 Elected members ConstituencyReserved for(SC/ST/None)MemberParty Ratabari SC Sambhusing Mallah Bharatiya Janata Party Patharkandi None Sukhendu Shekhar Dutta Bharatiya Janata Party Karimganj North None Sirajul Haque Choudhury Asom Gana Parishad Karimganj South None Abdul Muqtadir Choudhury Indian National Congress Badarpur None Abu Saleh Najmuddin Indian National Congress Hailakandi None Abdul Muhib Majumder Independent (politician) Katlicherra None Gautam Roy Indian National Congress Algapur None Sahidul Alam Choudhury Asom Gana Parishad Silchar None Bimalangshu Roy Bharatiya Janata Party Sonai None Anwar Hussain Laskar Asom Gana Parishad Dholai SC Girindra Mallik Indian National Congress Udharbond None Jagannath Sinha Indian National Congress Lakhipur None Dinesh Prosad Goala Indian National Congress Barkhola None Misbahul Islam Laskar Indian National Congress Katigora None Kali Ranjan Deb Bharatiya Janata Party Haflong ST Samarjit Haflongbar Autonomous State Demand Committee Bokajan ST Jagat Sing Engti Autonomous State Demand Committee Howraghat ST Chandra Kanta Terang Autonomous State Demand Committee Diphu ST Hemsing Tisso Autonomous State Demand Committee Baithalangso ST Holiram Terang Autonomous State Demand Committee Mankachar None Aminul Islam Asom Gana Parishad Salmara South None Wazed Ali Choudhury Indian National Congress Dhubri None Nazibul Umar Indian National Congress Gauripur None Banendra Kumar Mushahary Independent (politician) Golakganj None Alauddin Sarkar Communist Party of India Bilasipara West None Ali Akbar Miah All India Indira Congress (Tiwari) Bilasipara East None Prasanta Kumar Barua Asom Gana Parishad Gossaigaon None Rajendra Mushahary Asom Gana Parishad Kokrajhar West ST Hemendra Nath Brahma Independent (politician) Kokrajhar East ST Pramila Rani Brahma Independent (politician) Sidli ST Andrias Hajoary Independent (politician) Bongaigaon None Phani Bhusan Choudhury Asom Gana Parishad Bijni None Mohini Basumatary Independent (politician) Abhayapuri North None Bhupen Ch. Ray Asom Gana Parishad Abhayapuri South SC Rabin Banikya Asom Gana Parishad Dudhnai ST Akan Rabha Asom Gana Parishad Goalpara East None Jyotish Das Asom Gana Parishad Goalpara West None Abu Bakkar Siddique Jotdar Indian National Congress Jaleswar None Afzalur Rahman Indian National Congress Sorbhog None Hemen Das Communist Party of India (Marxist) Bhabanipur None Surendra Nath Medhi Asom Gana Parishad Patacharkuchi None Mohan Das Asom Gana Parishad Barpeta None Ismail Hussain All India Indira Congress (Tiwari) Jania None Abdur Rouf United Minorities Front, Assam Baghbar None Sheikh Abdul Hamid United Minorities Front, Assam Sarukhetri None Nizamuddin Khan Communist Party of India (Marxist) Chenga None Sukur Ali Indian National Congress Boko SC Jyoti Prasad Das Asom Gana Parishad Chaygaon None Kamala Kanta Kalita Asom Gana Parishad Palasbari None Jatin Mali Asom Gana Parishad Jalukbari None Bhrigu Kumar Phukan Asom Gana Parishad Gauhati East None Biraj Kumar Sarma Asom Gana Parishad Gauhati West None Ramendra Narayan Kalita Asom Gana Parishad Hajo None Nurul Hussain Asom Gana Parishad Kamalpur None Maidul Islam Bora Asom Gana Parishad Rangiya None Thaneswar Boro Asom Gana Parishad Tamulpur None Derhagra Mochahari Independent (politician) Nalbari None Nagen Sarma Asom Gana Parishad Barkhetry None Pulakesh Barua Asom Gana Parishad Dharmapur None Chandra Mohan Patowary Asom Gana Parishad Barama ST Rekha Rani Das Boro Asom Gana Parishad Chapaguri ST Jagmohan Basmatary Independent (politician) Panery None Kumud Chandra Das Independent (politician) Kalaigaon None Mahendra Mohan Rai Choudhury Asom Gana Parishad Sipajhar None Zoii Nath Sarmah Asom Gana Parishad Mangaldoi SC Hiren Kumar Das Asom Gana Parishad Dalgaon None Abdul Jabbar Asom Gana Parishad Udalguri ST Deva Kanta Ramchiary Independent (politician) Majbat None Silvius Condpan Indian National Congress Dhekiajuli None Joseph Toppo Asom Gana Parishad Barchalla None Prafulla Goswami Asom Gana Parishad Tezpur None Brindabon Goswami Asom Gana Parishad Rangapara None Bhimananda Tanti Indian National Congress Sootea None Padma Hazarika Asom Gana Parishad Biswanath None Prabin Hazarika Asom Gana Parishad Behali None Barnabash Tanti Indian National Congress Gohpur None Ganesh Kutum Asom Gana Parishad Jagiroad SC Bubul Das Asom Gana Parishad Marigaon None Munin Mahanta Communist Party of India Laharighat None Nazrul Islam Indian National Congress Raha SC Gahin Ch. Das Asom Gana Parishad Dhing None Mustafa Shahidul Islam Indian National Congress Batadroba None Digen Chandra Borah Asom Gana Parishad Rupohihat None Rashidul Haque Indian National Congress Nowgong None Prafulla Kumar Mahanta Asom Gana Parishad Barhampur None Prafulla Kumar Mahanta Asom Gana Parishad Samaguri None Atul Kumar Sharma Asom Gana Parishad Kaliabor None Gunin Hazarika Asom Gana Parishad Jamunamukh None Khalilur Rahman Chowdhury Asom Gana Parishad Hojai None Ardhendu Kumar Dey Indian National Congress Lumding None Hazi Abdur Rouf Asom Gana Parishad Bokakhat None Bhupendra Nath Bhuyan Indian National Congress Sarupathar None Binod Gowala Asom Gana Parishad Golaghat None Atul Bora Asom Gana Parishad Khumtai None Probin Gogoi Independent (politician) Jorhat None Hitendranath Goswami Asom Gana Parishad Majuli ST Karuna Dutta Asom Gana Parishad Titabar None Hemanta Kalita Asom Gana Parishad Mariani None Rupam Kurmi Indian National Congress Teok None Renupoma Rajkhowa Asom Gana Parishad Amguri None Pradip Hazarika Asom Gana Parishad Mahmara None Hiranya Kumar Konwar Asom Gana Parishad Sonari None Sarat Borkataky Indian National Congress Thowra None Debananda Konwar Indian National Congress Sibsagar None Promode Gogoi Communist Party of India Bihpuria None Kesharam Bora Asom Gana Parishad Naoboicha None Mani Kr. Subba Indian National Congress Lakhimpur None Utpal Dutta Asom Gana Parishad Dhakuakhana ST Bharat Chandra Narah Indian National Congress Dhemaji ST Dilip Kumar Saikia Asom Gana Parishad Jonai ST Pradan Boruah Asom Gana Parishad Moran None Joy Chandra Nagbanshi Indian National Congress Dibrugarh None Kalyan Kumar Gogoi Indian National Congress Lahowal None Prithibi Majhi Indian National Congress Duliajan None Amiya Gogoi Indian National Congress Tingkhong None Atuwa Munda Indian National Congress Naharkatia None Pranati Phukan Indian National Congress Chabua None Bhaben Baruah Asom Gana Parishad Tinsukia None Sudhangshu Coomer De Sirkar Indian National Congress Digboi None Rameswar Dhanowar Indian National Congress Doom Dooma None Dileswar Tanti Indian National Congress Sadiya None Jogdish Bhuyan Asom Gana Parishad Aftermath On 6 May 1996, the Minister for Rural Development, and candidate for the Golaghat Assembly constituency, Nagen Neog was killed, by suspected terrorists. Along with him, 8 other people, including his driver, and 5 bodyguards, also died.Rebels kill Assam leader in ambush New Straits Times 8 May 1996 Reuters https://books.google.com/books?id=cYlaAAAAIBAJ&dq=1996+Assam+Legislative+Assembly+election&pg=PA12&article_id=1330,2860049 4 July 2022 Bye-elections DateConstituencyWinnerParty11 November 1996Dispur Atul Borahttps://old.eci.gov.in/ByeElection/ByeNov1996/LA_AS_52.htm BYE - ELECTION, 1996 - Legislative Assembly of Assam - Assembly constituency - 52 Dispur Election Commission of India 4 July 2022Asom Gana Parishad 3 NowgongPrafulla Kumar Mahanta resigned from this seat since he had also won the seat of Barhampur Girindra Kumar Baruahhttps://old.eci.gov.in/ByeElection/ByeNov1996/LA_AS_86.htm BYE - ELECTION, 1996 - Legislative Assembly of Assam - Assembly constituency - 86 Nagaon Election Commission of India 4 July 2022 Dergaon Sushila Hazarikahttps://old.eci.gov.in/ByeElection/ByeNov1996/LA_AS_97.htm BYE - ELECTION, 1996 - Legislative Assembly of Assam - Assembly constituency - 97 Dergaon (SC) Election Commission of India 4 July 2022 Nazira Hemprove Saikiahttps://old.eci.gov.in/ByeElection/ByeNov1996/LA_AS_104.htm BYE - ELECTION, 1996 - Legislative Assembly of Assam - Assembly constituency - 104 - Nazira Election Commission of India 4 July 2022Indian National Congress 2 Margherita Tarun Gogoihttps://old.eci.gov.in/ByeElection/ByeNov1996/LA_AS_124.htm BYE - ELECTION, 1996 - Legislative Assembly of Assam - Assembly constituency - 124 Margherita Election Commission of India 4 July 2022 See also List of constituencies of the Assam Legislative Assembly 1996 elections in India References Assam Category:State Assembly elections in Assam Category:1990s in Assam Category:April 1996 in India