Assam: BJP, Congress intensify poll campaigns in Guwahati

Guwahati: With the Assam Assembly elections approaching, political campaigns intensified across Guwahati on Thursday as the ruling BJP and the main opposition Congress launched parallel outreach programmes to rally grassroots support.

The BJP kicked off its “Booth Bijoy Abhiyan” at booth number 32 in Jalukbari, while the Congress launched its “Samay Paribartan – Maati Bochaok, Jaati Bochaok” rally from Manabendra Bhawan at Ganeshguri.

Led by senior leaders, the Congress rally saw supporters march through key city areas, holding placards with slogans such as “Dekh’ot koi Mami dangor nohoi” (The Chief Minister's wife is not bigger than the country). The march passed through Maa Kamakhya Mandir, Amingaon, and Ganeshguri before proceeding toward Hotel Lily and Zubeen Kshetra in Sonapur.

Addressing a gathering outside Vandya International School in Amingaon, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of acting arbitrarily and alleged large-scale land grabs by his family.

“Through this rally, we want to expose how the Chief Minister is acting at will and grabbing land across the state. According to our information, his family has acquired nearly 12,000 bighas in violation of land laws,” Gogoi claimed. He also criticized a private educational institution run by Sarma’s family, saying it caters to the elite with high fees, while nearly 8,000 government schools were closed during Sarma’s tenure as Education Minister.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, also criticized the government over the state of public education infrastructure. “While government schools are struggling, elite schools with exorbitant fees are being promoted, which will hurt common people. The push toward CBSE affiliation undermines local education priorities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma formally launched the BJP’s Booth Bijoy Abhiyan in Jalukbari, emphasizing that the campaign would be conducted across all Assembly constituencies. “Under this initiative, BJP workers will distribute stickers, party flags, and a booklet highlighting 50 government achievements. Distribution will be voluntary, and permission will be sought before handing out any materials,” Sarma said.

With both major parties ramping up mobilisation efforts, the political battle in Assam is intensifying as the elections enter a decisive phase.