Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia is the new BJP state unit chief of Assam

51-year-old Saikia, who replaces Bhabesh Kalita, has been with the BJP for decades and first joined the party’s ideological fount, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), when he was still a student.

Saikia was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 2019 and was reelected from the Darrang Udalguri seat (earlier known as Mangaldoi) in 2024.

Saikia was the only person to file his nomination for the state president’s post by the cut-off time for filing papers, 7 pm on Thursday.

“Congratulations to Shri Dilip Saikia on being elected as the Assam BJP president. He is a dedicated and disciplined ‘Karyakarta’ (worker) who has served the Sanghathan (organisation) right from his student days,” Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a post on X, announcing Saikia’s elevation.

“Be it as a ‘Swayamsevak’, a ‘karyakarta’ or as a Member of Parliament, Dilip da has added value to any responsibility he has held. His approachable and hardworking nature is widely cherished in the party. I am sure Assam BJP will scale newer heights during his presidency,” he added.

Saikia is currently national general secretary of BJP. He had previously held positions in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student body affiliated to the RSS.

“Saikia has a lot of experience about our organisation. I am sure he will perform very well in his new role. I congratulate him on his elevation,” outgoing BJP state unit chief Bhabesh Kalita told reporters in Guwahati.

Saikia’s first task would be to lead the party in the panchayat polls expected to be held around April this year before he begins preparations for next year’s assembly polls.