Guwahati, 15 June (HS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Assam Pradesh, has launched an extensive Mandal-level training programme across the state from June 15 to July 5, aimed at strengthening the party's organisational structure and enhancing the capabilities of its cadre. More than three lakh party workers are expected to participate in the initiative covering all 353 Mandals of Assam.
Addressing a press conference at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan on Monday, BJP Assam spokesperson Ranjib Kumar Sarma said the training sessions would focus on the party’s ideology, organisational growth, governance, social media engagement and public outreach strategies. He stated that the programme would also include discussions on rural socio-economic issues to help workers gain a deeper understanding of grassroots concerns.
Sarma noted that similar training programmes would later be organised across the party’s 39 organisational districts, eight morchas and booth-level units. He said the exercise would equip both new and existing workers with political knowledge and organisational skills while fostering discipline, ideological clarity, and social commitment.
The BJP leader also welcomed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s announcement of a comprehensive survey of footpath vendors in Guwahati beginning on August 16. According to him, the survey would help identify individuals engaged in footpath trade, maintain accurate records and strengthen regulatory oversight in accordance with existing laws.
Referring to the history of Guwahati’s traditional markets, Sarma alleged that during the tenure of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, indigenous communities were gradually displaced from vegetable markets and footpath-based trade in several parts of the city. He claimed that areas such as Beltola, Ganeshguri, Hengrabari, Kalapahar, Silpukhuri, Bamunimaidam, Narengi, Forest Gate, Patharkuwari, Birubari, Kahilipara, Japorigog, Jalukbari, Adabari, Maligaon and Gotanagar were once largely sustained by local farmers and traders from indigenous communities.
He further alleged that these traditional traders lost their space in the marketplace under the Congress government, leading to adverse effects on their livelihoods and altering the socio-economic character of the city. Sarmah also expressed concern over the quality and safety of agricultural produce reaching urban consumers and stressed the need for stronger regulatory mechanisms to ensure healthy food products in city markets.
Concluding the press conference, Sarma reiterated BJP Assam’s support for the proposed vendor survey and expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute to improved urban management, greater transparency and more effective implementation of existing regulations.------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
