Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma outlined BJP’s three core agendas for Bodoland—peace, inclusive development, and transparency—during a massive rally in Kokrajhar ahead of the BTC polls. Sarma highlighted peace accords, equitable growth for all communities, and fair governance as BJP’s vision to ensure stability and prosperity in the BTR.
With the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections approaching, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made a decisive political pitch in Kokrajhar on Tuesday, laying out what he described as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) “three core agendas” for the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR): peace, inclusive development, and transparency.
Addressing a massive rally in Kokrajhar, considered the political nerve centre of the Bodo heartland, Sarma underscored that the BJP’s governance model in Assam has been built on stability after decades of conflict and ethnic unrest. He warned the crowd of “forces that may attempt to derail the hard-earned peace” and urged voters to remain vigilant.
“Peace is the foundation for all progress. Without peace, development cannot reach the people,” Sarma said to loud applause, stressing that safeguarding stability was the BJP’s foremost commitment to the region.
Peace as the foundation
The Chief Minister reminded the audience that under the leadership of the NDA government, a series of peace accords were signed with Bodo groups that had been engaged in decades-long insurgency. These agreements, he argued, created a new chapter for the Bodoland region by paving the way for harmony and coexistence.
According to Sarma, ensuring that no group or community feels left out of the peace process is vital. “We will not allow anyone to disturb the unity that has been achieved after years of struggle,” he added.
Inclusive development for every community
The second plank of the BJP’s agenda, Sarma said, is equitable growth. He highlighted his government’s focus on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and welfare schemes, all designed to reach every corner of the BTR. “Every community in the BTR must feel included in the march toward progress. That is our vision,” the Chief Minister said.
He elaborated that development in the BTR would not be restricted to urban centres but would extend to remote villages, with roads, schools, and hospitals forming the backbone of growth. Welfare schemes, particularly in health and education, would remain a priority to ensure a better future for the youth.
Sarma also pledged that no section of society—be it Bodos, Adivasis, Koch-Rajbongshis, or other ethnic communities—would be left behind in the development narrative. “The Bodoland Territorial Region belongs to all its people, and our aim is to make everyone a stakeholder in growth,” he said.
Transparency in governance
The third core agenda Sarma emphasised was transparency in administration. “Every job, every scheme, every rupee meant for the people must be delivered fairly. This is our pledge,” he declared, receiving cheers from the crowd.
The Chief Minister said the BJP government had taken several steps to root out corruption in Assam and vowed that the same principles of accountability and fairness would continue in the BTR. He added that transparent governance was not just about preventing corruption but also about building trust between the people and the government.
Boosting the BJP’s campaign in BTR
The Kokrajhar rally was more than just a policy pitch—it was also a show of strength designed to energise the BJP’s grassroots network ahead of the BTC polls. The crowd turnout was described as “fantastic” by Sarma, who later took to X to express gratitude. “I was touched by the fantastic response from the people of Kokrajhar in the run-up to #BTCPolls,” he wrote, calling the gathering a sign of the people’s faith in the BJP’s leadership.
The BJP, which has been working to expand its influence in the Bodoland region, is keen to position itself as the guarantor of peace and equitable growth. By combining its governance record with promises of stability, the party hopes to consolidate support across diverse communities in the BTR.
Clear election pitch
As campaigning gains pace, Tuesday’s rally in Kokrajhar signalled that the BJP is approaching the elections with a clear and focused strategy. The party’s message is straightforward: only a stable government under its leadership can safeguard peace, ensure inclusive development, and maintain transparency in governance.
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With the BTC polls set to play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s political future, Sarma’s articulation of these three agendas—peace, growth, and transparency—appears designed to strike a chord with voters who have lived through years of unrest and are now aspiring for lasting stability and prosperity.
