Assam assembly polls 2026: What are the key promises in BJP and Congress manifestos?

Assam stands at a crossroads as the 2026 Assembly polls approach. Voters face a choice between two starkly different paths: the BJP’s record-backed "Sankalp Patra" and the Congress’s promise-heavy "People’s Manifesto". While one party highlights its past delivery, the other pledges a radical shift in welfare and identity.

Support for families and seniors

Women are at the centre of this election. The BJP intends to boost the Orunodoi scheme, raising monthly payments to ₹3,000 and reaching 1.5 million more homes. They also plan to create millions of "lakhpati baideos" through entrepreneurship support and build women-run community kitchens. Congress counters with an unconditional monthly cash transfer for every woman. They also promise ₹50,000 for female-led businesses and a 40% quota in government jobs.

Healthcare also reveals a sharp divide. The BJP promises ₹5 lakh universal coverage and advanced cancer care using proton therapy. Congress is raising the stakes with a ₹25 lakh cashless insurance scheme for every family and a "Family Doctor" programme. For the elderly, Congress offers a ₹1,250 monthly pension. The BJP plans to maintain existing support while adding specialist geriatric wards in district hospitals. 

Identity, land and the law

The question of who belongs in Assam remains central. The BJP is running on a platform of "civilisational defence", promising to use the 1950 Immigrants Act for deportations and introducing laws against "love jihad" and "land jihad". They also plan to implement a Uniform Civil Code while exempting tribal areas.

In contrast, Congress champions a "shared identity". Their main land promise is converting temporary "Eksoniya" land titles into permanent "Miyadi" ones for a million people. Both parties seek to grant Scheduled Tribe status to six specific communities and provide land titles to tea garden families. Congress has also made the death of musician Zubeen Garg a major political issue, promising a fresh probe within 100 days of taking power.

Growth and the great river

Economic visions vary from high-tech hubs to reviving old mills. The BJP aims for a $300 billion economy by 2036, backed by a ₹5 lakh crore infrastructure plan featuring underwater tunnels and new airports. They also promise two lakh additional government jobs and entrepreneurship grants.

Congress focuses on the grassroots, pledging to reopen closed paper and sugar mills while ensuring 80% of business signs are in Assamese. To tackle the state’s recurring floods, the BJP has earmarked ₹18,000 crore for embankments and a volunteer monitoring force. Congress proposes a systemic approach through a Climate Resilience Fund and scientific river management. Both sets of promises are ambitious, yet neither party has fully explained how the state’s budget will cover these multi-crore commitments.