The Assam First Policy and BJP’s Development Model
For decades, Assam and the Northeast were held hostage by a politics that thrived on separatism, violence, and perpetual instability. The erstwhile Congress governments allowed disputes to fester, identities to fracture, and development to stagnate, turning this strategically vital region into a neglected frontier. Today, that chapter has decisively closed.
Under the BJP’s double-engine governance, the ‘Assam First’ focus of the Prime Minister and the unapologetically headstrong and astute leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam is witnessing a historic transformation where development and heritage walk hand in hand. For the first time, Assam’s glorious history is no longer confined to textbooks or local memory; it is being restored to national pride and global recognition.
The envisioning of the Su-Ka-Pha University in Charaideo stands as a tribute to the founder of the Ahom kingdom, anchoring higher education in indigenous history and civilisational consciousness. The recognition of the Charaideo Maidams as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has elevated Assam’s legacy onto the world stage, affirming that this land has shaped India’s history, not merely followed it. At the same time, landmark infrastructure such as the Dhola–Sadiya Bridge has transformed connectivity in Upper Assam, symbolising the seamless union of heritage and modernity.
Towering above Hollongapar, the 125-foot ‘Statue of Valour’ of Veer Lachit Borphukan now stands as a permanent reminder of Assam’s courage, resistance, and unyielding pride against external aggression—an icon of national inspiration.
Alongside cultural restoration, the BJP government has taken decisive steps to correct historical injustices related to land and dignity. For nearly two centuries, the Tea Community served as the backbone of Assam’s economy, yet remained excluded from land ownership and social security. Today, promises have been turned into power. Land rights are being granted to Tea Community members, bringing them into the mainstream of development and restoring dignity long denied.
This empowerment extends beyond land. More than 120 model high schools have already been built in tea garden areas, with 80 more planned by 2026. The results are visible. Student enrolment has surged from around 12,000 to nearly 35,000, marking a silent educational revolution in these regions. Simultaneously, wage increases, job reservations, and welfare initiatives have corrected decades of stagnation under Congress rule.
The government’s resolve to protect indigenous rights is equally firm across SC, ST, and tribal communities. Lakhs of bighas of land belonging to Satras, forests, and tribal belts—long encroached upon—are being reclaimed through decisive eviction drives. These efforts are not acts of exclusion but of justice, ensuring that the sons of the soil regain their rightful ownership. As a result, more than 1.5 lakh bighas of land have already been restored, strengthening indigenous presence in 103 of Assam’s 126 Assembly constituencies compared to just half a decade ago. This restoration of land is, in essence, a restoration of identity, security, and self-respect.
Taken together, these initiatives reflect a governance philosophy that refuses to choose between development and identity. Instead, the BJP has demonstrated that true progress lies in preserving cultural roots while building modern infrastructure, empowering communities while driving economic growth. Upper Assam’s past is no longer a forgotten chapter; it is now a source of strength shaping its future. This is the new Assam—confident in its heritage, firm in its identity, and unstoppable in its march towards prosperity.
Parallel transformations are clearly visible in the ethnic corridors of Assam, which now reverberate with echoes of greater significance and inclusivity. Earlier, the dominant sounds across Assam’s hills were those of gunfire, curfews, and uncertainty. These regions once reeled in the quagmire of conflict, where cultural expressions were often muted by fear. Today, those sounds have been replaced by the rhythmic beat of the ‘Kham’ and the gentle melody of the ‘Sifung’, as Assam witnesses a visible transition from violence to vibrancy.
This transformation—from the barrel of the gun to the rhythm of the butterfly dance, ‘Bagurumba’—is not accidental. It reflects a sustained political focus that has brought peace, pride, and purpose back to the state, and explains why the Prime Minister’s continued and regular engagement with Assam has become one of the defining features of the past decade.
The shift from communal clashes to communal harmony has been one of the most consequential outcomes of this period. Long-standing tensions that once defined Assam’s political and social landscape have steadily given way to mutual respect and coexistence. Cultural diversity is no longer treated as a fault line but as a shared strength, visible in the way Assamese society now presents itself with confidence on national and global stages.
Mega cultural showcases—from the world-record Bihu performance to ‘Jhumoir Binandini’, and now the grand celebration of Bagurumba—have elevated indigenous traditions to the heart of Assam’s collective identity. The decision to accord tribal cultural forms the same scale and prominence as mainstream festivals signals an inclusive vision of Assamese identity, one that recognises tribal communities as equal stakeholders in the state’s future.
Peace has served as the bedrock for this transformation. The Bodo Peace Accord of 2020 marked a decisive break from the past, where agreements were often signed but seldom implemented. The accord delivered tangible outcomes: Associate Official status for the Bodo language, a Rs 1,500 crore special development package for the Bodoland Territorial Region, and the rehabilitation of thousands of former militants who returned to the mainstream. More than ten thousand youth abandoned the path of violence, while institutions of development—from medical colleges to roads and bridges—followed in quick succession.
The Prime Minister’s repeated visits to Assam during this phase underscored a clear political message: peace must be accompanied by dignity, development, and sustained attention from the highest level of leadership.
This focus on Assam has also been deeply strategic. Long regarded as a peripheral region, the state is now positioned at the centre of India’s Act East Policy. The expansion of the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, now one of the country’s busiest, has transformed Guwahati into a gateway to Southeast Asia. Air routes have multiplied, connectivity has deepened, and Assam’s integration with ASEAN markets is no longer theoretical but increasingly real.
Infrastructure projects such as the Dhola–Sadiya and Bogibeel bridges, the Jogighopa multi-modal logistics park, the Trans-Arunachal Highway, and enhanced rail and road networks have redefined mobility and trade across the Northeast, aligning regional development with national economic goals.
Parallel to infrastructure growth has been a renewed emphasis on economic self-reliance and industrial expansion. Assam today contributes over half of India’s onshore natural gas production, while refinery capacities have expanded significantly. Landmark projects such as the Rs 11,000 crore Namrup Ammonia-Urea fertiliser plant, the ambitious Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor manufacturing unit at Jagiroad, Asia’s first bamboo bioethanol initiatives, and downstream projects at Numaligarh reflect a deliberate effort to move the state up the industrial value chain.
These investments are reshaping Assam from a resource hinterland into a manufacturing and technology hub linked to global supply networks, reinforcing the idea that development in the Northeast is no longer episodic but systemic.
Equally significant has been the focus on protecting identity and land. Through Mission Basundhara, land pattas have been distributed to lakhs of indigenous families, offering legal security long denied. Eviction drives to reclaim encroached forest and tribal land—politically sensitive but widely supported by indigenous communities—have restored vast tracts to their rightful custodians. The formal recognition of the ‘Bathou’ religion with a distinct census code, the declaration of ‘Bathou Puja’ as a state holiday, and targeted funding for tribal worship sites reflect a governance model that respects spiritual diversity rather than subsuming it.
The restoration of Assam’s historical and cultural legacy has also gained momentum. From the unveiling of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma’s statue in New Delhi to honouring Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi in Guwahati, celebrating Veer Lachit Borphukan nationally, and bringing back sacred artefacts like the Brindavani Bastra, the government has sought to correct decades of historical neglect, collectively reaffirming Assam’s civilisational importance within the Indian narrative.
Today, as Assam emerges as one of India’s fastest-growing states, gains global recognition as a tourism destination, and strengthens its role in trade, connectivity, and culture, the Prime Minister’s continued engagement stands out as both symbolic and substantive. It is therefore striking that sections of the Opposition choose to criticise his visits rather than acknowledge the transformation unfolding on the ground.
At a time when peace accords are being implemented, industries established, identities protected, and the Northeast integrated into India’s growth story, such criticism appears less rooted in concern for Assam and more in political discomfort. The reality is that Assam is no longer on the margins of national attention; it is shaping the future trajectory of the country. The Prime Minister’s regular presence reflects this shift, and the Opposition’s unease only reinforces how decisively the narrative of neglect has been replaced by one of action, accountability, and enduring commitment.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views, editorial stance, or policies of Northeast Now.