Assam Congress launches “Aspirational Boxes” under statewide “Raijor Podulit, Raijor Congress” campaign

Dibrugarh: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Saturday launched its statewide outreach campaign “Raijor Podulit, Raijor Congress”. The party also introduced “Aspirational Boxes” to collect public feedback for its people-driven manifesto for the next Assembly elections.

The programme began in Dibrugarh. APCC president Gaurav Gogoi, manifesto committee chairman Pradyut Bordoloi, senior leaders Pranati Phukan, Prithvi Majhi, Paban Singh Ghatowar, and district president Bipul Rabha were present.

Several organisations from Eastern Assam attended the launch. Tea worker groups, youth bodies, cultural organisations, lawyers’ associations and social service groups joined the meeting.

Speaking at the event, Bordoloi said the Congress wants a roadmap that reflects the needs of every community. "This initiative is for the future. We want the people’s voice in the manifesto,” he said.

He said party workers will meet people across sectors. They will collect concerns related to salaries, jobs, youth welfare and daily challenges.

APCC leaders also held informal discussions with community groups. They gathered suggestions to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots.

Gogoi said the party is now taking its organisational activities directly to the people. Health camps in tea gardens began on November 30. Community visits started on December 6.

By the end of December, APCC teams will travel across the state. They will cover Eastern, Central and Western Assam, the Barak Valley and the Hill Districts. Leaders will meet farmers, labourers, contractors, youths and other groups.

Gogoi criticized the current government’s functioning. “Governance now looks like monarchy. Even small issues lead to suspensions. We want to serve the people, not rule them,” he said.

He also said opposition parties plan to hold a joint convention in January. This follows their earlier alliance meeting on November 12.

The party will place over 4,000 Aspirational Boxes at markets, community halls, tea garden labour lines, bus stops, playgrounds and near schools and colleges. People can drop written suggestions for the manifesto.

The launch comes at a time when key issues remain unresolved in Assam unfinished flood mitigation, low tea workers’ wages, pending ST status for six communities, high maternal mortality, child trafficking, weak rural healthcare, school dropouts and rising man–animal conflict.

AICC general secretary and APCC in-charge Jitendra Singh will supervise coordination across the state.
Congress leaders said the campaign aims to create a People’s Manifesto that reflects the hopes and challenges of Assam’s diverse communities