Guwahati, 31 March (HS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday released its ‘Sankalp Patra’ for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, outlining 31 major commitments aimed at ensuring indigenous rights, strengthening security, boosting economic growth and promoting inclusive development across the state.

The manifesto was unveiled in Guwahati by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP State President and MP Dilip Saikia, along with several Union and State ministers. Addressing the gathering, Sitharaman highlighted the transformative changes brought by the BJP in Assam over the past decade, stating that the state has emerged as a key driver of growth in the Northeast region.

Chief Minister Sarma emphasized that the party’s vision revolves around safeguarding the “Jati, Mati, Bheti” of Assam, with strong measures proposed to protect indigenous land, identity and heritage. The manifesto promises implementation of the Immigrants Expulsion from Assam Act, 1950, to expedite the detection and deportation of illegal migrants, alongside measures to free encroached land. It also pledges land rights for indigenous citizens under Mission Basundhara and proposes the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, excluding Sixth Schedule areas and tribal communities.

Focusing on economic expansion, the BJP has proposed an investment of ₹5 lakh crore under the Assam Gati Shakti Master Plan to transform the state into India’s eastern gateway. Key infrastructure initiatives include development of roads, railways, waterways, aviation networks, a world-class aerocity near Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport and a Greenfield Doloo Airport in Silchar.

The manifesto lays significant emphasis on youth and women empowerment. It promises creation of two lakh additional government jobs over the next five years and financial assistance of up to ₹5 lakh for youth under the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan. The party has also pledged free education from KG to PG for economically weaker sections, along with expansion of existing schemes and recruitment of over 70,000 teachers. Initiatives such as One District One University and establishment of medical and engineering colleges have also been proposed.

For women, the BJP has announced plans to enhance financial assistance under the Orunodoi scheme to ₹3,000 per month in a phased manner and expand its coverage to 15 lakh additional households. The Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhijan will also be scaled up to create 40 lakh “Lakhpati Baideus”.

In the agriculture sector, the manifesto promises annual financial support of ₹11,000 to small and marginal farmers, along with subsidies for tractors, power tillers and support for allied sectors such as dairy and fisheries. The party has also assured continuation of subsidised ration schemes for the poor.

Addressing the recurring flood problem, the BJP announced the ‘Bar Mukta Assam Mission’ with an outlay of ₹18,000 crore, focusing on river management, embankment strengthening, erosion control, and dredging of National Waterway-2.

On cultural preservation, the party has proposed setting up the Ahom Oitijya Songrahalay complex in Guwahati by 2027, along with initiatives to promote indigenous languages, include regional heroes in school curricula and launch an Assam-based OTT platform.

The manifesto also outlines welfare measures for tribal and tea tribe communities, including pursuit of Scheduled Tribe status for several communities, land rights, wage enhancement and constitutional safeguards for autonomous councils.

In the housing and healthcare sectors, the BJP has pledged construction of an additional 15 lakh houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and a ₹50,000 crore Assam Swasthya Utkarsh Abhijan to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.

The party has set an ambitious target of doubling Assam’s economy to $300 billion by 2036, presenting the Sankalp Patra as a roadmap for a self-reliant, prosperous, and culturally vibrant Assam over the next five years.--------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash