Assam Assembly election: Less than a week before polls, BJP shifts focuses to youth empowerment, floods

GUWAHATI

Less than a week before Assam goes to the polls on April 9, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has shifted its focus from infiltrators and identity politics to youth empowerment and flood mitigation.

Information Minister Pijush Hazarika, who is seeking to retain the Jagiroad Assembly seat, said on Saturday (April 4, 2026) that Assam has embarked upon a transformative period marked by development, trust, and prosperity for its youth. He credited the government’s pro-youth initiatives to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

In a declaration of commitment to employment generation, Mr. Hazarika said that the government surpassed its 2021 electoral promise of one lakh government jobs by delivering 1.65 lakh appointments. “We have a resolute target of exceeding two lakh jobs in the next five years,” he added.

Initiatives for youth

He underlined the Chief Minister Flight initiative to equip the youth with global-standard skills, with financial assistance of ₹1 lakh to each beneficiary, and the establishment of the northeast’s first Maritime Skill Development Centre in Guwahati as examples of the government’s commitment.

“Through the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan, over one lakh youth have received financial assistance exceeding ₹1,000 crore, with an ambitious roadmap to support 10 lakh youth with assistance up to ₹5 lakh each in the coming five years,” Mr. Hazarika said. He also noted that 12.75 lakh MSME units generated employment for more than 82 lakh youth since 2021. He said 615 start-ups were supported during this period.

“We institutionalised free coaching for competitive examinations, including UPSC [Union Public Service Commission], APSC [Assam Public Service Commission], and SSC [Staff Selection Commission], along with specialised coaching for JEE [Joint Entrance Examination], NEET [National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test], CLAT [Common Law Admission Test], and CUET [Common University Entrance Test],” he said, also highlighting the emphasis on industrial growth.

Zubeen Garg factor

The perceived disillusionment of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, seeking justice for the late singer Zubeen Garg, is seen as a factor behind the change in the BJP’s poll narrative. Similarly, the party outlined its flood mitigation initiatives with pre-monsoon showers threatening floods and waterlogging.

“The BJP government is not merely containing floods, but is resolutely advancing towards a permanent solution to Assam’s flood crisis. We have elevated flood management as a core mission of governance, with an investment exceeding ₹18,000 crore earmarked for the Flood-Free Assam Mission over the next five years, underpinned by a comprehensive, long-term strategic framework,” Mr Hazarika said.

Under river rejuvenation initiatives, modern embankments are being constructed using advanced technology, with measures for erosion control and land restoration undertaken. A dedicated flood monitoring force will be deployed, engaging trained volunteers for real-time surveillance,” he said.