In Assam There Are Only 06 Women Assembly Members Out Of The Total Strength Of 126.

Guwahati; May 2026: Only 06 women in a 126 member’s Assembly; that stark number now defines the composition of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly, even as women voters turned out in unprecedented strength to shape the electoral verdict. Notably, 05belong to the ruling alliance, 03 from the BJP & 01 each from the AGP, BPF, only 01 woman legislator from the Opposition bench.

The contrast is striking. Women constituted 49.97% of the electorate and outvoted men with a turnout of 86.50%, once again asserting their decisive role in the electoral process, but without a proportionate presence in the legislature.

The 06 women elected this time are Nilima Devi (Mangaldai, BJP), Seweli Mohilary (Kokrajhar, BPF), Ajanta Neog (Golaghat, BJP), Rupali Langthasa (Haflong, BJP), Baby Begum (Dhubri, Congress) and Diptimoyee Choudhury (Bongaigaon, AGP). Notably, 05 belong to the ruling alliance, 03 from the BJP and 01 each from the AGP and BPF, and only 01 woman legislator from the Opposition bench – Baby Begum. Among them, Ajanta Neog once again stands out, securing her sixth term from Golaghat with a commanding margin of 43,759 votes over Congress candidate Bitupan Saikia.

One of Assam’s longest-serving women legislators, Neog’s continued electoral success remains an exception in an otherwise shrinking space for women in the Assembly. Speaking to the media after her victory, Neog said the scale of the BJP’s mandate had significantly raised expectations. “As a woman legislator, it would be my sixth term in the House. I will try to fulfil the aspirations of the people. The Opposition has totally lost its mass connect and it is reflected in the mandate”, she stated.

The latest tally extends a steady decline over the past decade. The Assembly had 14 women MLAs in 2011, the highest ever, accounting for 11.12% of the House. The number fell to 08 in 2016 (6.35%) and dropped further to 06 in 2021 (4.76%). With just 06 members this time too, the share has remained unchanged. A longer historical view underscores how limited women’s representation has remained in Assam’s legislative politics.

Since 1952, only 77 women have been elected to the Assembly. Party-level trends show little shift. Major political parties have continued to field relatively a few women candidates, and many of those nominated are often placed in constituencies with tougher electoral contests, further constraining their chances.

Out of total 722 candidates in the contest, only 59 were women. BJP had fielded 06 of them and Congress gave ticket to 14 women. It may be noted that the ruling BJP’s sustained focus on women-centric welfare schemes such as Orunodoi 3.0 and the Lakhpati Baideo initiative, which have helped consolidate significant support among women voters. Yet, this political backing has not translated into a higher number of women candidates or elected representatives. The composition of the new Assembly lays bares a persistent gap where women voters are central to the outcome of elections in Assam, but their presence in the law-making body still remains marginal.

These were a much talked about issue before the state went for the mandate. Only 02 women contenders each in Bongaigaon and Chirang districts were in fray for ensuing Assembly polls. In Bongaigaon only 02 women contenders – Diptimayee Choudhury (AGP) and Pranita Barman (SUCI) were in the poll race. Diptimayee Choudhury is spouse of Barpeta Lok Sabha MP Phani Bhusan Choudhury, while SUCI nominee Pranita Barman is a resident of Udalguri district

Choudhury won the Bongaigaon seat in 2024 by polls after her husband was elected as MP from Barpeta Lok Sabha seat. In Chirang district a total of 17 candidates were in the fight for the people’s mandate. 01 woman candidate among them was Banima Brahma from the Voters International Party in the Sidli-Chirang Assembly seat, who has eventually lost the contest. The other woman is in the Bijni Assembly seat Nilanjana Chakraborty from Bharatiya Gana Parishad (BGP). Data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) indicates that women’s representation in the Assam Assembly has remained limited despite their growing participation as voters.

In 2016, only 08 of the 91 women candidates across parties were elected. The number dropped further in 2021, with just 06 of 76 women candidates winning seats in the 126 member House. The figures highlight a persistent gap between women’s electoral participation and their representation in legislative bodies, even as political parties continue to promise greater inclusion.

Team Maverick.