Dilip Saikia appointed as Assam BJP president, calls for unity to get 100 plus seats in 2026 polls

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 17, 2025

Lok Sabha MP Dilip Kumar Saikia officially took charge as the new Assam BJP president, receiving the party’s flag from outgoing president Bhabesh Kalita during a function held at Vajpayee Bhawan in Guwahati on Friday.

Union Minister for Cultural Affairs Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, while 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. The event was graced by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, Assam BJP in-charge Harish Dwivedi, and organizing secretary J Ravindra Raju.

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.

Saikia was the only candidate to file a nomination for the post on Thursday. With this, present president Bhavesh Kalita’s tenure ends on Friday. He was appointed as state BJP president in 2021.

Dilip Saikia, a prominent leader from Assam, began his political journey with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1986. He later became a full-time karyakarta of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), where he served for nearly nine years in crucial positions such as State Secretary and State Organizing Secretary.

In 2002, Saikia became a National Executive Member of BJYM and a member of the State Media Cell.

In 2006, he was appointed Convenor of the Social Media Cell of the Assam BJP.

Saikia currently holds the position of national general secretary of the BJP.

In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Saikia was elected as MP from Mangaldoi parliamentary constituency.

In 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Saaikia secured victory again, this time from the Darrang-Udalguri constituency.