Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma climbed atop an open vehicle outside the Gupteshwar Temple in Dhekiajuli, on Saturday and launched the BJP's 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra,’ as massive public outreach campaign to build momentum ahead of state Assembly elections.
"I am seeking the blessings of the people of Assam," Sarma said as the procession moved off, flanked by state BJP president Dilip Saikia and Union Minister Pabitra Margherita.
The BJP, which is aiming for a hat rick in the state assembly polls, will show case the work done in the last five years through this pre-election massive mobilisation where the CM will touch base with one lakh people every day covering 70-80 km. The Yatra’s first phase runs from February 28 to March 9, covering 34 assembly constituencies and ending in Rangiya.
Sarma would present his government’s report card to the people. The BJP has been in power in the state for the last 10 years. The Assam is BJP’s gateway to the North East, where Sarma has played a key role in forming alliances in regional parties in other states. Through his aggressive politics, he has positioned himself as a key party leader. A victory in these polls would enhance his stature at the national level.
For these polls, the BJP's messaging weaves together two threads. The first is welfare delivery — infrastructure, healthcare, education and cash transfers that the yatra will publicise. The second is identity and security themes which Sarma has been flagging since he assumed charge in the state. He has maintained a hard line on illegal migration, particularly of Bangladeshi Muslims.
He has been describing Assam's shifting demography as an "alarming call" and referred to recent clashes during land eviction drives, warning that some people were "still prepared to resist."
The yatra is only the first move in a larger electoral campaign. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Assam on March 13 and 14. On March 15, the BJP will hold a youth rally in Guwahati.
The BJP plans to contest 103 of the 126 Assembly seats and is confident of a majority.
Congress alleges wrongdoing by Sarma
The Congress, which has been struggling to come to power too had launched a Yatra, earlier this months. It was was actually first out of the blocks. The party launched its "Samay Parivartan Yatra" from Guwahati on February 5, nearly three weeks before the BJP's march began.
The Congress campaign is led by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, alongside senior state leaders Debabrata Saikia and Rakibul Hussain. Where the BJP is talking about development, Congress is talking about alleged wrongdoing. Its yatra has focused its attack directly on Sarma and his family, raising questions about the purchase of nearly 12,000 bighas of land and alleging that thousands of government schools were shut during Sarma's time as Education Minister.
Assam's 126-member assembly will go to the polls in April-May, though the Election Commission is yet to announce a date.
The BJP's gamble is that incumbency, combined with a visible ground operation and the Modi factor, can carry it through. Congress is wagering that voter fatigue, local grievances and a string of allegations can undo a government that has been in power for nearly a decade.