Assam is heading for elections to its Legislative Assembly, with polling scheduled for April 9, 2026. The counting of votes will take place on May 4, 2026.
The State has 126 Assembly constituencies. It is currently governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is set for a close contest with the Congress.
The election will involve around 2.50 crore registered voters across 31,486 polling stations. According to the Election Commission of India, 5.75 lakh young electors aged 18 years and above will be voting for the first time in an Assembly election. In addition, 4.16 lakh electors with disabilities, 343 third gender electors and 1.04 lakh senior citizens are expected to participate.
The two main political parties, the BJP and the Congress, have released their manifestos for the elections. Let’s have a look at the promises made by the BJP and the Congress in their respective manifestos for Assam Assembly elections 2026.
BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ vs Congress’ ‘Raijor Istahar’
While the BJP has pledged to work towards the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), protect land and heritage, and further its development agenda, the Congress has promised Scheduled Tribe status for six communities, the setting up of an Anti Corruption Commission to investigate alleged scams under the Himanta Biswa Sarma government, the release of a white paper on Assam finances, and an Urban Flood Mitigation Plan.
Releasing the 31 point “Sankalp Patra” at the BJP State headquarters in Guwahati, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke of what she described as a decade of transformation in Assam, which she said had contributed to economic growth in the State and the wider northeast.
“Assam continues to show that peace is sustainable, and that is the biggest achievement,” she said. Ms. Sitharaman added that the promises were framed on the basis of what she called ten years of change in the State, which the Congress was unable to deliver in six decades.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, State party president Gaurav Gogoi and other senior leaders released the “Raijor Istahar”, or people manifesto, in Bokajan in eastern Assam on Thursday (April 2, 2026).
“Prepared based on inputs from the people of Assam, the manifesto sets out practical and realistic plans for genuine transformation. It is not just a list of promises but a guarantee of implementation,” Mr. Gogoi said.
BJP’s UCC push
Among the BJP key promises is the implementation of the Immigrants Expulsion from Assam Act 1950 to speed up the detection and deportation of illegal immigrants, the removal of encroachments, and the granting of land rights to genuine citizens.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the manifesto focuses on protecting land and people of the State. He said the government would strengthen legal measures to safeguard the civilisation, heritage and rights of the people of Assam by working towards a Uniform Civil Code, excluding Sixth Schedule areas and tribal communities, while protecting the customary rights of ethnic groups.
The party also pledged to frame a law to address what it described as love jihad and take strong action against land jihad.
Congress’s ST status promise
In the manifesto, Congress has committed to completing five key tasks within the first 100 days of forming a government to build public trust, followed by institution-building within a year and structural transformation within five years.
The manifesto lists 28 commitments, including five guarantees announced earlier by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
These include justice for the late Zubeen Garg, financial support of ₹50,000 for women to start small businesses, and land rights for 10 lakh indigenous people.
A major promise is the granting of Scheduled Tribe status to six communities, namely Adivasis or Tea Tribes, Chutias, Koch Rajbongshis, Mataks, Morans and Tai Ahoms. The Congress said these groups had been neglected under the BJP government.
Welfare guarantees
The BJP manifesto promises education for all, including free education from kindergarten to postgraduate level for economically weaker sections, the creation of world class institutions, and the recruitment of more teachers.
It also committed ₹5 lakh crore in investments to develop Assam as India eastern gateway, with greater focus on road, rail, air and water connectivity.
The manifesto said a high level Accord Implementation Mission would be set up under the Chief Minister to ensure time bound execution of all peace accords, along with efforts to implement the Assam Accord.
Congress manifesto promises rehabilitation of displaced tribal communities, free hostels and education for children of widowed mothers, priority for widows in housing, ration and healthcare schemes, welfare boards for gig workers and transport drivers, reduction of the State debt burden, revival of the tea industry with better wages and benefits, and policies aimed at climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
It also promised a Zubeen Garg Fellowship for young people in cultural fields and a Centre of Excellence for Art and Culture.
The Congress manifesto also promises police reforms, fast track courts for corruption, land and cases concerning women, decentralised and performance based governance with public reporting, universal healthcare and full school enrolment. It also proposed a weekly off day for police personnel, a Welfare Fund for advocates and legal workers, and subsidised land for accredited journalists.
Women in focus
The BJP said it would enhance dignity, security and economic independence of women by increasing the monthly assistance under the Orunodoi scheme to ₹3,000 in phases and extending coverage to an additional 15 lakh households. The scheme was launched in 2020.
It also promised a second phase financial assistance of ₹25,000 to existing beneficiaries and an expanded Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhijan programme to create 40 lakh Lakhpati Baideos. The party said it would establish Aair Pakghor, women run community canteens, in every district headquarters to serve nutritious local food at subsidised prices.
The Congress manifesto said every woman would receive a monthly cash transfer directly into her bank account. It also promised ₹50,000 in assistance to help women start or expand their businesses.
Published – April 06, 2026 10:35 am IST
