Youth leader Karan Chetry emerges as BJP front-runner for Goreswar

GUWAHATI, FEBRUARY 24: As Assam prepares for the 2026 Assembly elections, likely to be held in March-April, political activity is increasing across the state. In the newly created Goreswar Assembly constituency in Tamulpur district, youth leader Karan Chetry is fast emerging as a strong contender for the BJP ticket.

Party sources say Chetry’s name is being seriously considered. The BJP is looking to give opportunities to young and active leaders, especially in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), where the party has strengthened its base in recent years.

Goreswar is constituency number 44. It was formed in 2023 after the Election Commission carried out a delimitation exercise. The seat was carved out from parts of the old Baksa and Kamrup districts. Spread over around 461 square kilometres in Tamulpur district, the constituency has a population of over 4 lakh, according to the 2011 Census. As per the 2026 electoral rolls, the gender ratio stands at 1,001 females per 1,000 males.

This year, 2,05,167 voters are enrolled in Goreswar. This includes 100,306 male voters, 99,100 female voters and one third-gender voter. The area is mostly rural and depends heavily on agriculture. Paddy cultivation, tea gardens and honey production through beekeeping are major sources of livelihood. The constituency is home to Bodos, Gorkhas, Assamese, tea tribes and other communities, along with migrant populations.

The BJP sees Goreswar as a potential strong seat. In the 2021 elections, the BJP and its ally United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) performed strongly in the BTR. Since then, the party has worked to expand its organisation in border and rural areas. Development schemes, including those for border villages, have been highlighted as part of this effort.

Karan Chetry has been active as a youth leader and party worker. On social media, he has shared posts related to BJP programmes, including welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a rally in Tamulpur and live-streaming the 2026 Assam Budget session presented by Finance Minister Ajanta Neog. His profile carries the line: “Country First, Party Second, Self Last,” reflecting his political stand.

Sources within the party say Chetry has strong support from local youth groups and community members. Discussions are ongoing within the party and the state leadership has been informed. The final decision will come from the party’s high command. In districts like Tamulpur, internal consultations are being held before candidates are finalised for seats such as Goreswar and Tamulpur (ST).

Chetry highlighted the key issues of the constituency. He said the biggest problem in Goreswar town is the railway gate. “An overbridge is needed at the railway crossing,” he said.

He also raised concerns about water shortage. “In the northern part of the constituency, there is a serious water problem, especially clean drinking water. This must be resolved,” he said.

Human-elephant conflict is another major issue in the area, which lies close to the Bhutan border and falls in an elephant corridor. Chetry stressed that this problem must be addressed through proper fencing, compensation and awareness.

Flooding is also common due to heavy rainfall and rivers like Barnadi and Pagladiya flowing down from Bhutan. The region receives around 1,346 mm of rainfall annually. Chetry said proper erosion control measures are needed along streams and drains to prevent damage.

Irrigation remains a key demand in this agriculture-based constituency. “Arrangements must be made so that agricultural fields get water throughout all twelve months of the year,” he said adding that many such issues require attention.

With a literacy rate of 85.71 percent, Goreswar has a politically aware electorate. As opposition parties face internal challenges, the BJP is working to present a development-focused agenda. If given the ticket, Karan Chetry could become one of the young faces leading the party’s campaign in this newly formed constituency.