DIBRUGARH: Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal ramped up BJP’s election campaign across Upper Assam on Friday, addressing a string of public rallies in Margherita, Majuli, and Khowang in support of party candidates Bhaskar Sharma, Bhuban Gam, and Chakradhar Gogoi.Speaking before a large crowd at Inthem Naga Pathar in Margherita, Sonowal framed the upcoming election as far more than a routine political contest, calling it a decisive moment for the Assamese people. “This is not just an election rally – it is a platform of resolve to safeguard the self-respect, identity, and rights of the Assamese people,” he declared, invoking the legacy of Swargadeo Chaolung Sukapha to underline Assam’s deep cultural roots.Sonowal defended the BJP-led alliance govt’s record in the state, citing land rights secured for lakhs of families, eviction drives to reclaim encroached land, and measures he described as essential to preserving indigenous heritage. “Today, Assam has entered a new era of peace, development, and confidence,” he added, urging voters to back NDA’s vision of a self-reliant Assam within a developed India.The Union minister reserved his sharpest words for the Congress party, accusing it of decades of neglect and political betrayal. “Congress committed a grave injustice to Assam. For years, it encouraged illegal infiltration to sustain its vote-bank politics, thereby weakening the social and cultural fabric of the state and shrinking the rights of indigenous people,” Sonowal charged. He alleged that Congress had brutally suppressed youth during the Assam Movement, adding, “Such actions can never be forgiven.“In Majuli, Sonowal struck a warmer tone, extending Rongali Bihu and Assamese New Year greetings to residents, while making a personal appeal rooted in his own political history with the constituency. “When I came to Majuli in 2016 as a chief ministerial candidate, the people blessed me with immense love and support. I consider Majuli as my mother, which has nurtured and shaped my political life,” he said.Sonowal highlighted Majuli’s elevation to full district status as a major administrative achievement, reducing residents’ dependence on Jorhat and Dispur for official work. He also pitched the riverine island’s tourism potential, describing it as a “pollution-free region with immense potential as a global tourism destination,” while stressing the need for youth employment and women’s empowerment.Throwing his weight behind BJP candidate Bhuban Gam, Sonowal praised his simplicity and grassroots connect, noting that approachability remains the leader’s greatest strength.Closing his campaigns with a rallying call, Sonowal urged voters to deliver a decisive mandate. “Majuli’s strength will strengthen Assam, and a strong Assam will contribute to a stronger India,” he said.
