AGP’s Birendra Prasad Baishya and BJP’s Kanad Purkayastha have been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Assam, as no Opposition candidates were fielded for the biennial elections. June 12 marked the last date for withdrawal of nominations, and since no other contenders remained, both National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates were declared elected. Purkayastha will take over from Mission Ranjan Das, while Baishya has been re-elected for a second consecutive term. The current tenure of both Das and Baishya ends on June 14.

Following the announcement of his unopposed victory, Birendra Prasad Baishya met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday. He was accompanied by cabinet ministers Atul Bora and Keshab Mahanta. CM Sarma congratulated Baishya on his re-election and encouraged him to actively participate in Parliamentary proceedings to further Assam’s development and interests.

Minister Atul Bora also took to social media to express his appreciation for Baishya’s extensive parliamentary experience and previous role as a Union Minister. Bora stated that Baishya’s presence in the Rajya Sabha will continue to be significant, and he will serve as a “strong and articulate voice for Assam and the NDA.”

Kanad Purkayastha, the newly elected BJP MP, is the son of former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha. In his post-election remarks, Kanad expressed his deep commitment to the development of Barak Valley, particularly in improving connectivity and infrastructure. He highlighted the importance of the East-West Corridor project and shared his confidence that it would be completed by January 2026. This infrastructure development is expected to greatly benefit southern Assam, especially the Barak Valley region, which has long demanded better connectivity.

Purkayastha expressed his gratitude to the BJP leadership for nominating him and supporting his candidature. He particularly thanked CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and state BJP president Dilip Saikia for playing a key role in his political journey. He emphasized that his nearly 30-year association with the BJP reflects the party’s recognition and respect for hard work and loyalty. He pledged to remain focused on the aspirations of the people of southern Assam and to act as a dedicated and vocal representative for the region in the Parliament.

The unopposed election of both Baishya and Purkayastha is seen as a demonstration of the NDA’s growing influence in Assam, as well as a lack of strategic opposition coordination. Both elected leaders are expected to play crucial roles in shaping the state’s representation in the Upper House, focusing on regional aspirations, infrastructure growth, and effective policy advocacy.

In summary, this Rajya Sabha election has reinforced the political standing of both Baishya and Purkayastha in Assam’s NDA alliance. While Baishya brings experience and legislative insight, Purkayastha offers a vision for future development, especially in Barak Valley. Their combined presence is expected to strengthen Assam’s voice in national policymaking forums.