Battle for Barak: Himanta Biswa Sarma Goes All Out With Grand Promises

With sweeping promises on jobs, welfare and infrastructure, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday (April 3) unveiled a broad development agenda for Barak Valley, drawing a massive crowd during his rally after touring several constituencies in the region.

Addressing gatherings across Katigorah, Hailakandi, Borkhola and Dholai, Sarma announced that 2 lakh jobs would be created if his government returns to power. He said 25,000 posts would be in the police, 75,000 in the teaching sector and the rest in other fields. He also announced a special Teachers’ Eligibility Test in Bengali and Hindi for Barak Valley, along with a separate selection process for teachers in the region.

Highlighting welfare measures, the Chief Minister said Self Help Group women would receive Rs 25,000 under the Lakhpati Baideo scheme. He added that benefits under the Orunodoi Scheme would be extended to those who were previously left out, and clarified that this expansion would apply across all constituencies in Barak Valley.

He further stated that people without ration cards would be brought under the system and that rations would now include one litre of mustard oil. Stressing support for economically weaker sections, Sarma said the government would bear educational expenses for poor students. As part of this push, he added that efforts would be made to increase the monthly Orunodoi assistance from Rs 1,250 to Rs 3,000.

In constituency-specific announcements, Sarma said Katigorah would be upgraded to a co-district by August 15, 2026. Kalain is set to become a municipality, with the introduction of a science stream at Kalain SR College and the establishment of a women’s college. A new industry is also proposed at Panchgram.

For Borkhola, he announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for 10,000 youths under the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan, part of a larger plan to benefit 1.3 lakh youths across Barak Valley. Infrastructure proposals included a bridge at Rajnagar, a college in Tapang, a block office in Chatla and a new stadium. An allocation of Rs 5 crore was also announced for the development of Barambaba Mandir.

In Hailakandi, the Chief Minister promised an engineering college, a medical college and a university. He also announced training centres to help youth prepare for police recruitment, double-laning of the Silchar-Hailakandi road via Assam University and construction of a flyover in the district.

Sarma visited multiple locations across Barak Valley before heading to Silchar for the rally. At the conclusion of the rally from Itkhola to Rangirkhari Point, Sarma said, he would never forget the love shown by the people of Silchar and assured “waves of development” for the town and Barak Valley. After campaigning across Hailakandi, Dholai, Borkhola and Katigorah and holding a roadshow in Silchar, he expressed confidence that BJP candidates Rajdeep Roy and Rajdeep Goala would win by a margin of 50,000 votes. He said he is taking personal responsibility for Silchar’s development, all demands will be fulfilled, and added that Dipayan Chakraborty will receive due recognition for his work. Sarma also assured that he would return to Silchar within the first week of forming the government again.

While the announcements were welcomed by supporters, their implementation will depend on administrative clearances and budgetary provisions if the government returns to power.

With the elections scheduled for April 9 and only a few days left, campaigning has intensified across Assam. The Indian National Congress recently outlined its five key promises for the state, while the All India Trinamool Congress has also announced its agenda for Assam and Barak Valley. As multiple parties compete for the Chief Minister’s post, the final outcome will be decided on May 4, when counting of votes takes place and the people’s choice becomes clear.