Did the ‘Justice for Zubeen’ campaign overwhelm the opposition?

Photo: Collected

The landslide victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections has once again brought Zubeen Garg into the spotlight, but this time from a different perspective. It can be seen that all the candidates and parties that dragged the issue of Zubeen's unusual death in Singapore and the subsequent investigation into electoral politics lost public support. Many of them had claimed that the young population would vote against the ruling alliance, as the 'Justice for Zubeen' campaign had resonated with millions of fans and well-wishers of this revered cultural figure. However, the Assamese voters, who cast their votes overwhelmingly in a peaceful atmosphere, responded differently; this is a topic that perhaps requires serious introspection at an appropriate forum.

In the single-phase elections held on April 9, which recorded the highest voter turnout ever (85.91%) in Assam, the BJP alone secured 82 seats in the 126-member assembly (hence the saffron party's third consecutive victory), while the Indian National Congress lagged far behind in second place with only 19 elected representatives. According to the Election Commission of India, BJP allies – Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front – secured 10 seats each. On the other hand, Congress ally Raijor Dal secured two seats, while another ally Asom Jatiya Parishad remained empty-handed. The All India United Democratic Front secured two seats and the All India Trinamool Congress secured one seat.

Needless to say, Zubeen's close family members urged everyone not to politicize his untimely death and the subsequent investigation for electoral gain, but some elements paid no heed. These notorious elements believed that during this intense election campaign, Zubeen's mysterious death in the waters near Lazarus Island in Singapore on September 19, 2025, and the subsequent investigation, would capture the attention of a large number of voters—especially the younger population—who were deeply angered by Zubeen's mysterious death.

Meanwhile, a coroner's court in Singapore ruled that the 53-year-old singer's death was due to accidental drowning, while an ongoing investigation in Assam was treating the case as a suspected homicide. State Coroner Adam Nakhoda stated his findings, stating that after examining all the evidence, there was no reason to disagree with the police and coast guard's conclusion. The death certificate issued by Singapore General Hospital also stated drowning as the cause of death. The court concluded that Zubeen likely fainted in the water, leading to his drowning. The coroner also stated that there was no evidence of foul play, no delay in rescue efforts, and no indication that anyone held him underwater. The ship's captain also stated that no one forced Zubeen to drink alcohol or enter the water. Zubeen likely fainted and his face was submerged in the water.

Singapore's decision sparked a new political storm in Assam, as opposition parties questioned Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's claim that Zubeen was murdered as part of a well-planned conspiracy. Opposition leaders also demanded clarity and accountability from the Dispur-based government and questioned the impartiality of the investigation conducted by a special team of the Assam Police into Zubeen's death. Four people were charged with murder in the case: Shyamkanu Mahanta (organizer of the fourth NE Festival in Singapore), the singer's manager Siddharth Sharma, and two co-stars, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta. Three others were also arrested and remain in jail: Zubeen's cousin Sandipan Garg, and two security officers—Nandeshwar Bora and Prabin Baishya.

However, responding to the criticism, Sarma said that the Singapore findings strengthened the case filed in Assam. Stating that the Assam investigation was independent of the Singapore investigation, Sarma said that both investigations revealed that Zubeen had consumed alcohol above the permissible limit. An additional aspect of the Assam investigation was that Zubeen had been deliberately given alcohol the previous night as part of a larger conspiracy.

For the record, Zubeen's uncle, Manoj Kumar Borthakur, stated in a social media post that before the assembly elections, many people were trying to influence voters by using his name to create an anti-government narrative. Garima Saikia Garg also reiterated her plea with folded hands that her husband's name not be used for political gain. Few in the opposition heeded her appeal, and somehow, the election results proved the right path. Long live Zubeen Garg!

• Nava Thakuria: A senior journalist from Eastern India.