Congress promise ST status for six Assam communities

GUWAHATI

In its manifesto for the April 9 Assembly elections in the State, the Congress has promised Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six communities, the formation of an Anti-Corruption Commission to probe scams by the Himanta Biswa Sarma government, a white paper on Assam’s financial condition, and an Urban Flood Mitigation Plan.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, State party president Gaurav Gogoi, and other senior leaders released the “Raijor Istahar (people’s manifesto)” in eastern Assam’s Bokajan on Thursday (April 2, 2026).

“Based on inputs from the people of Assam, the manifesto outlines practical and realistic plans aimed at bringing genuine transformation to the State. It is not merely a set of promises; it is an assurance of guaranteed implementation,” Mr. Gogoi said.

The manifesto outlines 28 commitments, including five guarantees announced by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge earlier. These include justice for the late Zubeen Garg, ₹50,000 each for women to start a small business, and land rights for 10 lakh indigenous peoples.

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 key tasks include the publication of a white paper on Assam’s financial condition; the formation of an Anti-Corruption Commission; guaranteed annual grants and accountability dashboards for Panchayati Raj institutions; police reforms and fast-track courts for corruption, land, and women-related cases; fully decentralised, and performance-linked governance with public reporting; and universal healthcare and 100% school enrolment.

Among the commitments is the contentious issue of granting ST status to six communities – Adivasis (“Tea Tribes”), Chutias, Koch-Rajbongshis, Mataks, Morans, and Tai-Ahoms. According to Congress, these communities were let down by the BJP-led government.

Assam Assembly elections: Full coverage

The other commitments include the rehabilitation of displaced tribal communities; free hostel and educational facilities for children of widowed mothers; priority for widows in housing, ration, and healthcare schemes; welfare boards for gig workers, auto, e-rickshaw, and taxi drivers; reduction of Assam’s debt burden; revival of the tea industry with optimum wages and benefits for plantation workers; and a climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable State.

The manifesto promises a Zubeen Garg Fellowship for the youth in cultural fields and an associated Centre of Excellence for Art and Culture. It also promises a mandatory weekly off day for police personnel, an Advocates’ Welfare Fund for lawyers and legal workers, and subsidised land for accredited journalists.

“Monopoly and control of media by influential political families or business groups will be curbed,” the manifesto says.