Assam Congress appoints Wazed Ali Choudhury as LoP, Joy Prakash Das as Deputy
Synopsis
With the 2026 Assam elections on the horizon, the Congress has formalised its legislative leadership by appointing Wazed Ali Choudhury as CLP Leader and Joy Prakash Das as Deputy — a structural move aimed at mounting a more coordinated challenge to the BJP-led government in the state Assembly.
Key Takeaways
AICC appointed Wazed Ali Choudhury as Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Assam Assembly on 26 May 2025 .
Joy Prakash Das has been named Deputy Leader of the CLP in Assam.
The appointments were approved by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and take effect immediately.
Choudhury represents the Sonai Assembly constituency and has been a prominent voice on minority and governance issues.
The move is seen as part of Congress's pre-poll strategy against the ruling BJP -led alliance ahead of the 2026 Assam elections .
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Tuesday, 26 May appointed senior Assam legislator Wazed Ali Choudhury as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in the Assam Legislative Assembly, with Joy Prakash Das named as Deputy Leader. The move, approved by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, takes effect immediately and is aimed at sharpening the party's legislative strategy ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.
Official Announcement
The appointments were confirmed through a formal press release issued by AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal from the party's headquarters in New Delhi. The release stated: 'Hon'ble Congress President has approved the proposal for the appointment of Leader and Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Assam, as follows, with immediate effect.'
Who Are the New Appointees
Wazed Ali Choudhury is a senior Congress MLA who represents the Sonai Assembly constituency in Assam. He has been a prominent voice on issues relating to minorities, development, and governance in the state, and is regarded as one of the party's most experienced legislators in the House.
Joy Prakash Das, appointed as Deputy Leader, is considered an influential figure within the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). He has been actively involved in both organisational and legislative affairs of the party in the state.
Strategic Significance
The reshuffle comes at a critical political juncture. Congress remains the principal opposition party in the Assam Assembly, facing an entrenched Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance that has governed the state since 2016. Party insiders say the new leadership structure is designed to improve coordination between the legislative wing and the state unit as the 2026 polls draw closer.
This is part of a broader organisational restructuring drive the Congress has undertaken across several states where it is in opposition, seeking to rebuild its ground presence and legislative effectiveness. Notably, the AICC has been making similar appointments in other state assemblies in recent months as it prepares for a string of crucial state elections.
What Comes Next
With the leadership now formalised, the CLP under Choudhury is expected to take a more assertive posture inside the Assembly — intensifying scrutiny of the ruling alliance on governance, development, and minority welfare issues. The party has also signalled renewed outreach programmes across Assam's districts to consolidate its voter base ahead of 2026.
Point of View
The new CLP leadership will need to deliver visible legislative impact, not just organisational optics.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been appointed as the Leader of Opposition in the Assam Assembly?
Senior Congress MLA Wazed Ali Choudhury has been appointed as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Assam Assembly, effective immediately from 26 May 2025. He represents the Sonai Assembly constituency and is a prominent figure on minority and governance issues in the state.
Who is Joy Prakash Das and what is his new role?
Joy Prakash Das is an influential leader within the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee who has been appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Assam Assembly. He has been actively involved in both organisational and legislative matters of the party.
Who approved the Congress leadership appointments in Assam?
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge approved the proposal for the appointments. The decision was formally announced by AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal from the party's New Delhi headquarters.
Why is Congress reorganising its Assam legislative leadership now?
The appointments are part of Congress's broader effort to strengthen its opposition to the ruling BJP-led alliance and prepare for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. The party is seeking greater coordination between its legislative wing and the state unit through organisational restructuring.
What is the current political standing of Congress in the Assam Assembly?
Congress is the principal opposition party in the Assam Assembly, where the BJP-led alliance has been in power since 2016. The party has been undertaking organisational restructuring and renewed outreach programmes to consolidate its voter base ahead of the 2026 state elections.
