Priyanka’s Pilot Project Inside the New High-Tech System to Pick Assam’s Congress Candidates:

In the traditional corridors of Indian politics, getting an election ticket often depends on who you know in Delhi or Guwahati. But for the 2026 Assam Assembly Elections, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is attempting to tear up the old playbook.

Arriving in Guwahati on February 18, 2026Priyanka who is heading the party’s Assam Screening Committee is spearheading a “Pilot Project” designed to end the era of backroom lobbying and “safarish” (recommendations).

What is the New Selection System?

This isn’t just a routine screening; it’s being described as a data-driven, bottom-up approach to candidate selection. Here’s how it works:

The “Application Fee” Filter: In a move that sparked debate earlier this year, every aspirant is required to pay a ₹50,000 application fee. This is designed to filter out non-serious contenders and build a campaign fund.

Ground-Level Feedback: Instead of candidates traveling to Delhi, the committee is traveling to them. Priyanka’s two-day marathon meetings (February 18–19) involve direct consultations with District Presidents, Block Presidents, and Booth-level coordinators.

The Performance Matrix: Candidates are being evaluated on a secret scorecard that includes their social media reach, local “cleanliness” (lack of criminal records), and their active participation in the party’s recent “Nyay” rallies.

Why Assam is the “Pilot Project”

The Congress High Command is treating Assam as a testing ground for a nationwide rollout. The goal is to identify “Winability” over “Loyalty.” By involving grassroots workers in the final shortlisting process, Priyanka hopes to minimize the internal rebellion and “defections” that have plagued the Assam Congress in previous years.

High Stakes and High Pressure

Priyanka isn’t working alone. She is flanked by Lok Sabha MPs Imran Masood and Saptagiri Ulakaas well as Assam Congress Chief Gaurav Gogoi. Together, they are tasked with shortlisting names for the 100 seats the Congress plans to contest in the 126-member assembly.

“This visit is not just about meetings; it’s a reset,” a senior party source claimed. “Priyanka is looking for fresh faces who can take on the organizational muscle of the BJP and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.”

The Challenge Ahead

While the new system promises transparency, it faces skepticism from old-guard leaders who feel sidelined by the “tech and data” approach. The true test of this pilot project will be when the first list of candidates is released. If it results in a united front, Priyanka may have just found the blueprint for a Congress comeback. If not, it may be seen as just another administrative experiment in a state that has eluded the party since 2016.

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