North Lakhimpur: All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday released the party’s manifesto for the Assam Assembly elections at a massive campaign rally in Kharkati, Panigaon, under the 75 Nowboicha (SC) LAC in Lakhimpur district.
The manifesto was unveiled in the presence of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi, senior AICC leaders, party candidates from Lakhimpur district, and leaders of allied parties.
Highlighting the party’s poll promises, Kharge said the Congress would introduce five key guarantees if voted to power. These include a monthly financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to women for business activities, a pension of Rs 1,250 for senior citizens along with the creation of a dedicated ministry for their welfare, justice for Zubeen Garg within 100 days, cashless health insurance coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh per family, and the conversion of Eksonia land of 10 lakh indigenous people into Myadi Patta.
Launching a sharp attack on the ruling BJP, Kharge accused the party of betraying the mandate of the people. He alleged that the elevation of Himanta Biswa Sarma as Chief Minister after the last Assembly elections was an act of “stealing the people’s mandate,” which he said had been sought under the leadership of Sarbananda Sonowal.
Kharge also took a personal swipe at Sarma, stating that the Congress had once nurtured him, only for him to later “betray” the party. He accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state of corruption and exploitation, terming the much-publicised “Double Engine” government as a “Double Loot” regime siphoning off Assam’s resources.
Urging voters to reject the BJP, Kharge called for unity to “end the reign of fear and irregularities” under the current government.
Addressing the rally, APCC president Gaurav Gogoi expressed confidence in the Congress-led alliance’s prospects, citing the large turnout as an indicator of support across Lakhimpur and upper Assam. He described the election as a “fight to save Assam” and called for the removal of the incumbent government.
The rally also saw participation from former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Assam Jatiya Parishad leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Raijor Dal leader Russel Hussain, and representatives from the CPI and CPM, among others.