BJP releases manifesto ahead of polls (Image/PTI)
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday unveiled its manifesto for the Assam assembly elections 2026, outlining an ambitious mix of cultural, economic and governance promises aimed at consolidating its position in the state. The document, released by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, lays out 31 commitments under the party’s “Sankalp Patra.”A central plank of the manifesto is the promise to safeguard the land, heritage, and dignity of Assam’s indigenous communities. The BJP has also pledged firm action against encroachment, including the recovery of land allegedly occupied by illegal settlers. In addition, the party has proposed the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code and measures to strengthen law and order, framing these as essential for long-term stability.
On the economic front, the BJP has promised investments worth Rs 5 lakh crore to transform Assam into a key economic hub and India’s eastern gateway. The manifesto emphasises infrastructure expansion, job creation for youth, and sustained development, with the leadership highlighting what it calls a decade of transformation under its rule. The party also claims that improved opportunities are encouraging Assamese youth to return to the state from global careers.
What are 31 commitments promised in BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’?
BJP has promised the following commitments in its manifesto:
- We will protect the land, heritage and dignity of theindigenous people of Assam
- We will strengthen the legislative protections to preservethe civilisation, heritage and rights of the people ofAssam
- We will invest Rs 5 lakh crore to position Assam as India’sEastern Gateway, backed by an Asom Gati ShaktiMaster Plan to ensure the timely completion of projects
- In collaboration with the Central Government, we will launch Asom Nagar Unnayan Abhijan
- We will launch the Badh Mukt Assam Mission withan investment of Rs 18,000 crore+ to make Assamflood-free
- We will provide employment and self-employmentopportunities for the youth
- We will empower the youth of Assam to becomeself-relian
- We will continue to provide rice, masur dal, sugar and salt 08at a subsidised rate, including mustard oil and also providefree ration to the poorest of the poor families.
- We will launch the One District, One University initiative andensure a comprehensive coverage of medical and engineeringcolleges in each district to enhance quality higher education in Assam
- We will transform education in Assam by ensuring education forall, building world-class institutions and expanding the teacherworkforce
- We will strengthen the dignity, security and economicindependence of the women of Assam
- We will ensure the promotion, protection andpreservation of the indigenous culture of Assam
- We will strengthen income security for farmers
- We will provide financial assistance to fish farmers,ensuring income support during the non-fishing period.
- We will launch the Asom Krishi Unnayan Abhijan tomodernise and strengthen agricultural market infrastructureand supply chain management
- We will actively pursue the Central Government to implementthe recommendation of the Group of Ministers (GoM) inrespect of scheduling the six communities of KochRajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Adivasis & Tea Tribes,Chutia, Moran and Matak while safeguarding theconstitutional, social and economic rights of existing STcommunities.
- We will pursue the Central Government to consider the inclusion ofseven communities, Bishnupriya Manipuri, Bhar orRajbhar, Newar, Bhujel, Sabar, Satnami and KiranSheikh, in the Central List of Other Backward Classes,in line with their existing recognition in the State OBC list.
- We will work towards granting constitutional status to the Autonomous Councils of the Mising, Rabha, Sonowal Kachari,Thengal Kachari, Deori, Tiwa and Boro Kachari tribes.
- We will ensure inclusive development and land security for the tribaland indigenous people
- We will ensure the holistic development of tea tribe communities
- With 22 lakh+ houses completed under the Pradhan MantriAwas Yojana (Gramin and Urban), we will construct anadditional 15 lakh houses to ensure every family has accessto a pucca house with basic amenities.
- We will launch Nijut Sipini to provide financialassistance to 10 lakh traditional weavers to supporttheir livelihoods and strengthen handloom production.
- Building on our rapid economic growth since 2016, we will doubleAssam’s economy to $150 billion by 2031 and scale it to $300billion by 2036
- We will provide a wage subsidy of Rs 10,000 peremployee to new industries investing in Assam to support thetraining and employment of local youth, with enhanced incentivesfor enterprises established under Advantage Assam.
- We will launch the Asom Parjyatan Bikash Abhijan to position Assam as a leading tourism destination.
- We will ensure time-bound implementation of all signed peace accords
- We will focus on the welfare of the government employees, promoting good governance and strengthening law and order
- We will ensure holistic development of sports across the state with targeted intervention
- To develop Dibrugarh as the second capital of Assam
- To ensure the holistic development of Barak Valley
- Building on Assam’s rising health investment of Rs 2,600 crore in 2016 to Rs 8,900 crore in 2025, we will strengthen the medical infrastructure in the state
