Guwahati: BJP on Tuesday unveiled its manifesto for the Assam assembly election, pledging to implement the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950 to fast-track detection and deportation of illegal migrants and free all encroached land from occupation.“Under the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, a deputy commissioner is empowered to expel an illegal foreigner within 24 hours. We will use this act every single day so that we can push back the Bangladeshi infiltrators,” chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said after the manifesto was released by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.The manifesto carries 31 promises; under one named “Surakshita Asom”, it states, “Our double-engine government is committed to protecting Assam’s civilisational identity by securing indigenous land and heritage…”The party promised to implement the act “to expedite the process of detection and pushback of illegal immigrants”.The act of 1950 was short-lived; it was halted just two days after it was implemented in the state after then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wrote to the then CM, Gopinath Bordoloi, directing him to halt all action under this law. Nehru stressed that safeguarding minorities and restoring peace were the immediate priorities, warning that continuing expulsions would only deepen tensions.The current BJP-led state govt started using the act since last year after the Supreme Court confirmed that it was still valid. This law is an independent instrument to push back infiltrators without going through the tedious legal process involving foreigners’ tribunals and other courts.The state cabinet’s SOP for DCs and SSPs states that if a person is suspected, the DC will give that person 10 days to produce proof of citizenship. If s/he fails, the DC can issue an expulsion order under Sec 2 of the act, giving 24 hours for removal by a specified route. Foreign nationals identified by Foreigners’ Tribunals will be expelled directly.This pledge, along with commitments to introduce a uniform civil code (UCC) — excluding Sixth Schedule areas and tribals — and to formulate laws against what it termed as “love jihad” and “land jihad”, aligns firmly with the party’s core plank of protecting Assamese identity. The manifesto also promised land rights for indigenous citizens and vowed to safeguard Assam’s spiritual and cultural institutions.Pitching Assam as India’s “Eastern Gateway”, BJP promised ₹5 lakh crore investment to boost connectivity — developing Gati Shakti cargo terminals, 10 mini logistics parks, an air cargo hub at Guwahati, and river logistics hubs at Bogibeel, Pandu and Jogighopa. The party pledged to harness inland waterways under Maritime India Vision 2030 to expand trade and regional links.A ₹18,000 crore Badh Mukt Assam Mission was announced to make the state flood-free through embankment rebuilding, riverbank stabilisation and dredging of National Waterway 2.Employment and education featured prominently, with two lakh govt jobs, startup support, financial aid up to ₹5 lakh for 10 lakh youth, free education from KG to PG for poor families, 70,000 new teachers, and an “Education City” with global tie-ups.Women’s empowerment promises included raising Orunodoi aid to ₹3,000, creating 40 lakh “Lakhpati Baideos” under Mahila Udyamita Abhijan, and women-run community canteens. Farmers were promised subsidies for tractors and tillers, MSP top-ups, and support for dairy and fisheries.Tea garden families were assured land pattas, housing, and wage hikes. The manifesto pledged constitutional status for tribal councils and inclusion of six communities in the ST and OBC lists.Health infrastructure will be boosted with a ₹50,000 crore Assam Swasthya Utkarsha Abhijan, advanced cancer treatment facilities, and a “One District, One University” to expand higher education.BJP aims to double Assam’s economy to $150 billion by 2031 and scale it up to $300 billion by 2036. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the manifesto reflects “a decade of transformation” under BJP, contrasting it with Congress’s record.
