Dr Amit Kalwar Joins Congress Ahead of 2026 Polls, Holds Massive Rally in Silchar

A prominent Silchar-based doctor, Dr Amit Kalwar, made his political debut on Saturday, October 11, in Guwahati, joining the Indian National Congress alongside the party’s state president, Gaurav Gogoi. His arrival in Silchar on Monday, October 13, drew thousands of supporters to the Silchar Airport and hundreds of vehicles in a massive rally to the city, marking a spectacle of support and entry into active politics.

The doctor’s massive rally has now become a political hot topic in Cachar, with reports suggesting that around 2,000 vehicles and thousands of people participated. Sources indicate that Dr Kalwar has joined the Congress party with an eye on the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections, and there is growing speculation that he may contest from the Borkhola constituency.

Dr Kalwar, a well-known internal medicine specialist, was received by the district Congress leadership at the Rajiv Bhavan, where the committee felicitated him for joining the party. Speaking to the media, he said, “Joining the hands of my brother Gaurav Gogoi, I joined the Indian National Congress in Guwahati in the presence of senior party leaders. I received immense encouragement and am grateful to be called a politician of the new generation. My goal is the development of Barak Valley, ensuring progress for society irrespective of religion, race, or caste. I will take any responsibilities assigned by Gaurav Gogoi for Barak’s development.”

Dr Kalwar also spoke on his reasons for choosing Congress over the ruling party, stating, “I joined Congress because Gaurav Gogoi is running the party along with everyone, unlike the ruling party, which is a one-man show. We have people from tea gardens, minorities, and various castes. We have to work together and move forward.”

When asked if he would contest from Borkhola in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections, he replied, “I belong to Borkhola, and the public has raised the demand. But I will follow whatever decision my party takes and work towards raising the party flag higher.”

Dr Amit Kalwar is the second doctor from Silchar to enter active politics in recent times. Earlier, Dr Rajdeep Roy, an orthopaedic surgeon, had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and won the Silchar MP seat in 2019.

The “Grand Old Party” faces multiple challenges in Barak Valley, as well as across the state. With the 2026 Assembly elections approaching and political leaders switching allegiances, Dr Amit Kalwar’s entry into Congress is set to stir the political waters. Earlier, Congress’s only vocal MLA from Barak Valley, North Sribhumi’s Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, had left the party to join the BJP. Now, questions are arising over Borkhola: if Dr Kalwar contests from there, what does it mean for three-time Borkhola MLA Misbahul Islam Laskar, also from Congress?