Summary of this article
The BJP manifesto places strong emphasis on cracking down on illegal immigration in Assam
The Congress is promising permanent pieces of land to 10 lakh indigenous residents in Assam
The Congress is also promising justice for Zubeen Garg within 100 days of coming to power
Assam goes to the polls next week with campaigning reaching a fever pitch. A tight race is anticipated between the current BJP-led state government and the Congress, which have, ahead of the elections on 9 April, released their manifestos with their big-ticket promises.
Here is the breakdown of the guarantees both parties intended to implement if elected to power in the State Elections.
BJP's big Sankalps
The ruling state government, the BJP, in its Assam Sanklap Patra, has listed a tall order of promises for the state, targeting not just the usual categories but also furthering its agenda of a crackdown on illegal immigrants and love jihad. Here are some of the major promises from the BJP’s 31 Sankalpas:
Crackdown on illegal immigration
The BJP manifesto places strong emphasis on cracking down on illegal immigration in Assam, presenting it as key to “protecting the land and identity of indigenous communities”. The party said it would implement the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, to speed up the detection and deportation of undocumented migrants.
It also promised to remove encroachments allegedly linked to illegal immigrants and reclaim land across the state, while ensuring land rights for genuine citizens under Mission Basundhara.
The manifesto further pledges to free religious and cultural sites from encroachment, strengthen the Satra Aayog to reclaim Satra lands, and support restoration efforts through the Asom Darshan Scheme.
Promising stronger legislative measures to protect the cultural and civilisational identity of Assam. The party said it would work towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state, while excluding Sixth Schedule areas and tribal communities to safeguard their traditional rights.
It further pledged to bring in a law to curb what it terms “love jihad” and take strict action against alleged “land jihad”, positioning these measures as part of its broader effort to protect indigenous rights and land in Assam.
Employment, Youth Programmes and Education
Lack of skill development and employment opportunities has plagued Assam in recent years. To tackle this, the BJP promises major employment and education initiatives aimed at empowering Assam’s youth.
The party promises it would create two lakh additional government jobs and expand opportunities through MSMEs, startups, the maritime sector and other emerging industries. Youth entrepreneurship would be supported through the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan, which offers financial assistance of up to ₹5 lakh to help launch new ventures, covering around 10 lakh young people.
It also pledged to continue the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme, which provides ₹25,000 to fresh graduates to help them prepare for employment.
On education, the party promised free education from KG to PG for poor students and said it would invest ₹8,000 crore to upgrade 1,000 secondary schools under the CM Model Schools programme. The manifesto also proposes developing an Education City with partnerships involving Indian and foreign universities, alongside appointing more than 70,000 teachers over the next five years and a “One District, One University” initiative to ensure a comprehensive coverage of medical and engineering colleges in each district.
Women's welfare schemes
The BJP manifesto promises to increase the monthly assistance under the Orunodoi scheme to ₹3,000 in phases and expand its coverage to an additional 15 lakh households. It also pledges ₹25,000 financial assistance to existing beneficiaries and the expansion of the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhijan to help create 40 lakh “Lakhpati Baideos”.
The party further proposes setting up Aair Pakghor, women-run community canteens in every district headquarters, offering nutritious meals at subsidised rates.
Sops for farmers
The BJP manifesto promises to expand the Mukhya Mantri Krishi Sa Sajuli Yojana to cover PM-KISAN beneficiaries, ensuring ₹11,000 annual support for small and marginal farmers.
It also proposes subsidies of ₹3 lakh for tractor purchases for 10,000 farmers and ₹1 lakh for power tillers for 50,000 farmers, while 25 lakh poor families will receive two milk cows each under the Chief Minister’s Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana.
The party further pledges to continue the state top-up on MSP for paddy, maize and mustard procurement, provide income support to fish farmers during the non-fishing period, and modernise agricultural markets and supply chains through the Asom Krishi Unnayan Abhijan, including new vegetable markets, cold storage and warehousing facilities.
Empowering Scheduled Tribes
The BJP manifesto promises to pursue Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six communities — Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Adivasi & Tea Tribes, Chutia, Moran and Matak — while safeguarding the rights of existing ST groups. It also proposes pushing for the inclusion of seven communities in the Central OBC list, including Bishnupriya Manipuri, Bhar/Rajbhar, Newar, Bhujel, Sabar, Satnami and Kiran Sheikh.
The party says it will work towards granting constitutional status to several tribal autonomous councils and ensure land security by protecting tribal belts and implementing the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
For tea tribe communities, the manifesto promises land pattas for eligible tea garden families, ₹75,000 assistance for house repairs, and a phased wage increase to ₹500 for tea garden workers. It also proposes forming a Tea Tribes Wage Reform Expert Committee and initiatives to support small tea growers and promote speciality Assam tea in global markets.
Infrastructure boost promise
The BJP manifesto promises a ₹5 lakh crore investment to position Assam as India’s “Eastern Gateway”, focusing on major connectivity projects such as new expressways, a Brahmaputra underwater road-cum-rail tunnel, Guwahati Ring Road and expanded Vande Bharat train routes.
It also proposes new greenfield airports and river logistics hubs, along with satellite townships and industrial cities under the Asom Nagar Unnayan Abhijan.
To address recurring floods, the party has announced a ₹18,000-crore “Badh Mukt Assam Mission” aimed at strengthening embankments, river rejuvenation and improving flood-resilient infrastructure.
The Congress's 5 key guarantees
The Congress unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming state elections on 29 March. Presented by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge at the Nowboicha campaign, the party headlines five major promises if elected.
1. Monetary support to women
The party has promised an “unconditional” monthly cash transfer to women’s bank accounts if the party comes to power in Assam, along with ₹50,000 in financial assistance to help women start their own business ventures.
Explaining the concept of unconditional support, Kharge contrasted the proposal with existing schemes run by the BJP.
“We are calling the cash transfer unconditional, as the money that the BJP is giving to women now is conditional. To become a beneficiary, one has to be a member of the BJP, but we won’t impose such conditions, and everyone will be given cash benefits,” Kharge said.
He reiterated that the proposed assistance would be available without political or membership conditions, stressing that the aim is to ensure that every eligible woman receives financial support.
“BJP gives conditional transfers. They ask if you are from the BJP. Congress will not ask such questions. We will provide financial support unconditionally, and if possible, go beyond that,” Kharge said.
2. Justice for Zubeen Garg
The Congress president also made a significant political assurance regarding the death of Assamese singer and composer Zubeen Garg, a towering cultural icon in Assam whose death last year came as a shock across the state.
“We also promise to provide justice to the late Zubeen Garg within 100 days of coming to power. We will find out who killed him and what was the conspiracy within that time period,” Kharge said.
Garg, one of Assam’s most influential musicians and a widely revered cultural figure, died in Singapore in September last year. His death triggered widespread public grief and debate in the state.
The murder trial related to the case—where seven people, including Garg’s former manager, his cousin and an event organiser, were arrested—has been transferred to a fast-track court by the Gauhati High Court, with daily hearings set to begin from March 30.
Reiterating the party’s commitment, Kharge said the Congress government would ensure accountability in the case.
“We will not let the perpetrators go scot-free. Within 100 days, we will provide justice to Zubeen Garg,” he declared.
In March, however, a court in Singapore concluded that Garg died due to accidental drowning, stating that there was no evidence of foul play.
Before that ruling, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Assam had alleged that Garg’s former manager, Siddharth Sharma, embezzled crores of rupees from the singer and later murdered him to retain control of the funds.
This particular promise has drawn the criticism of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma, who claims that "The Congress has committed an unpardonable crime by including Zubeen's name and his death in its election manifesto.”
"Nobody has done this kind of disgusting politics of bringing in Zubeen's name to seek votes... People will give the party stern punishment at the hustings," he added.
3. Land for Indigenous tribes
The Congress also promised to grant permanent land pattas to 10 lakh bhoomiputras (indigenous residents) in Assam, replacing the current system of annual land allotments.
Under the existing system, land ownership documents must be renewed every year, a process the party said forces residents to repeatedly approach officials. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the proposed change would secure land rights permanently and remove bureaucratic hurdles.
“This will ensure that people don’t have to renew their records annually or request favours from officials and run from one place to another. We have done it in Karnataka where we gave records to 6.8 lakh people,” Kharge said.
4. Health Insurance
The Congress also promised cashless health insurance coverage of ₹25 lakh for every family in Assam if voted to power. Kharge said the scheme would guarantee treatment without upfront payment and reduce the financial burden of medical care on households.
“We will provide guaranteed cashless health insurance of ₹25 lakh to every family,” Kharge said, adding that similar promises have already been implemented in Congress-ruled states.
He cited Rajasthan, Karnataka and Telangana as examples where such health coverage schemes have been rolled out under Congress governments, presenting the proposal as part of the party’s broader welfare pitch in the state.
5. Allowance for Senior Citizens
The Congress manifesto also promises a monthly allowance of ₹1,250 for senior citizens in Assam, positioning it as a step to strengthen social security for the elderly. The party said the measure would provide regular financial support to older residents who often depend on limited or irregular sources of income.
