Muslims voted for Himanta Sarma, says AGP leader; BJP bloc tipped for 102 seats
Synopsis
An AGP leader who switched from AIUDF claims Muslims backed CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in the Assam Assembly elections — a striking assertion that cuts against the conventional narrative of minority bloc voting. Exit polls from Today's Chanakya back his broader point, projecting the BJP alliance at 102 seats and 50% vote share, with Congress limited to 23 seats.
Key Takeaways
AGP leader Karimuddin Barbhuiyan claimed many Muslims voted for CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in the Assam Assembly elections .
Barbhuiyan projected the Opposition would win at best 35 seats in the 126-member Assembly .
Today's Chanakya exit poll projects the BJP -led alliance at 102 seats (±9) and 50% vote share.
The Congress -led Opposition is projected to win 23 seats and 38% vote share.
Barbhuiyan switched from AIUDF to AGP ahead of the polls and contested from Sonai constituency , Cachar district .
Karimuddin Barbhuiyan, an Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader who contested the recently concluded Assam Assembly elections from Sonai constituency in Cachar district, on Friday, 1 May asserted that many Muslims had voted in the name of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, adding that the Opposition's dream of forming the next government would remain just that — a dream.
Barbhuiyan's Key Claims
Barbhuiyan, who switched to the AGP from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) ahead of the polls, said the mood among voters had clearly favoured the ruling alliance. He dismissed claims that anti-incumbency would damage the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led combine in the state.
He projected that Opposition parties might at best secure around 35 seats in the 126-member Assembly, arguing that repeated attempts to project a change in government were disconnected from the ground reality he witnessed during campaigning.
Why Voters Backed the Ruling Alliance, According to AGP
According to Barbhuiyan, welfare delivery, road connectivity, law and order, and visible infrastructure development had helped strengthen public confidence in the present dispensation across regions, including Barak Valley and Lower Assam. He insisted that voters were looking for continuity, stability, and faster development rather than experimentation with fragmented Opposition forces.
In a pointed political remark, Barbhuiyan said it was good if Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi won his seat, noting that every democracy needs at least one person willing to raise issues and challenge the government in the House. He maintained, however, that isolated criticism would not alter the larger mandate.
Exit Poll Numbers Favour BJP Alliance
Fresh seat and vote share projections released on Thursday for the Assam Assembly elections indicated a strong advantage for the ruling alliance led by the BJP. The bloc is projected to secure 102 seats, with a margin of error of plus or minus nine seats, according to the exit poll by Today's Chanakya.
The Opposition alliance led by the Indian National Congress (Congress) is projected to win 23 seats, with a range of plus or minus 9 seats, while others are expected to remain marginal at around 1 seat. If the trend holds, the BJP-led combine would comfortably retain power in the 126-member Assembly.
Vote Share Breakdown
In terms of vote share, the BJP alliance is projected to receive around 50 per cent, with a possible fluctuation of three percentage points. The Congress-led bloc is estimated to secure 38 per cent of the votes, while other parties and independents together may account for 12 per cent.
With results awaited, all eyes will be on whether the actual seat tally aligns with the exit poll projections — and whether Barbhuiyan's claims of cross-community support for Sarma are borne out on counting day.
Point of View
If even partially borne out in results, would represent a significant realignment in Assam's communal voting arithmetic. His own trajectory — from AIUDF to AGP — is itself a signal of shifting allegiances in minority-heavy constituencies. The exit poll numbers are striking, but exit polls in Assam have historically carried wide margins of error. The real story will be in the booth-level data from Barak Valley and Lower Assam, where the BJP has traditionally struggled with minority-majority pockets. If the 102-seat projection holds, it would be a mandate that transcends identity politics — and a serious challenge to the AIUDF's claim to represent Muslim voters in the state.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did AGP leader Karimuddin Barbhuiyan say about Muslim voters in Assam?
Barbhuiyan asserted that many Muslims voted in the name of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the recently concluded Assam Assembly elections. He made the claim on 1 May, dismissing the Opposition's prospects of forming the next government.
What do exit polls project for the Assam Assembly elections?
According to Today's Chanakya exit poll, the BJP-led alliance is projected to win 102 seats in the 126-member Assembly, with a margin of error of ±9 seats. The Congress-led Opposition is projected to win 23 seats, while others may account for around 1 seat.
Who is Karimuddin Barbhuiyan and which party does he represent?
Karimuddin Barbhuiyan is an Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader who contested the Assam Assembly elections from Sonai constituency in Cachar district. He switched to AGP from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) ahead of the polls.
What vote share is the BJP alliance projected to receive in Assam?
The BJP alliance is projected to receive around 50 per cent of the vote share, with a possible fluctuation of three percentage points. The Congress-led bloc is estimated to secure 38 per cent, while others may account for 12 per cent.
What did Barbhuiyan say about Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi?
Barbhuiyan said it was good if Akhil Gogoi won his seat, noting that every democracy needs at least one person willing to raise issues and challenge the government. He added, however, that such isolated criticism would not alter the larger electoral mandate.
