Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state within three months of returning to power, positioning it as a key promise in the party’s manifesto for the 2026 Assembly elections.
Speaking on the sidelines of the manifesto release, Sarma said the proposed UCC would be rolled out while safeguarding the rights and interests of indigenous and tribal communities. “We will implement the Uniform Civil Code within three months, ensuring that the interests of indigenous and tribal populations remain protected,” he stated.
The manifesto, released on March 31, outlines a series of legal and administrative measures, including the introduction of stringent legislation to curb what the chief minister described as “love and land jihad.” Sarma also said District Commissioners would be empowered under the Illegal Immigrants Expulsion Act, 1950 to expel illegal foreigners within 24 hours.
Reiterating the government’s stance on encroachment, he said strict action would be intensified to reclaim forest and government land from illegal occupants. Referring to alleged cross-border infiltration, Sarma noted that illegal immigration remains a persistent challenge. “As long as India and Bangladesh exist as neighbours, infiltration will continue. This is not a problem with a fixed deadline; it requires continuous efforts,” he said.
Alongside these measures, the BJP manifesto lays out an ambitious development roadmap. The party has promised an investment of Rs 5 lakh crore in infrastructure and a Rs 1,800 crore mission aimed at making Assam flood-free. It has also pledged to create two lakh government jobs and support the emergence of 10 lakh entrepreneurs across the state.
In the social sector, the manifesto proposes free education from kindergarten to postgraduate level and a Rs 50,000 crore investment to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. Financial assistance under the Orunodoi scheme is set to be increased to Rs 3,000 per month in a phased manner, while daily wages for tea garden workers are proposed to be raised to Rs 500. Small farmers are also promised annual financial support of Rs 11,000.
“We aim to transform Assam into a 150 billion dollar economy and make it a key contributor to India’s growth story,” Sarma said.
Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly is scheduled for April 9, with results to be declared on May 4.