Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has cautioned BJP workers in Assam against complacency and internal infighting as the state prepares for the 2026 Assembly elections. Speaking at the party’s state executive meeting, Sonowal said the BJP was entering the polls from a position of strength but stressed that discipline and unity within the organisation were essential. He said the party was confident of returning to power for a third consecutive term, citing the performance of the “double-engine” government at the Centre and in the state over the past decade. “The people are with us, but we must ensure there is no infighting within our own party,” he told party members.
BJP’s Decade of Governance and Development
Highlighting the BJP’s political journey in Assam, Sonowal claimed the party had marked a decisive break from what he described as “decades of neglect and instability” under previous Congress governments. He alleged that for nearly 60 years, Assam and the Northeast were denied peace, development, and dignity. According to Sonowal, the situation began to change only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge, bringing focused development initiatives and bridging what he called an “emotional gap” between the region and the Centre. He said the frequent visits of the Prime Minister and Union ministers had replaced an earlier “Delhi-centric” approach with governance that stayed closely connected to the people on the ground.
Peace, Stability, and the ‘Nation First’ Message
Sonowal further claimed that peace and stability returned to Assam only after the BJP formed the government in 2016. He credited dialogue, decisive action, and the signing of multiple peace accords for restoring normalcy in long-troubled areas. Stressing the ideological foundation of the party, he reminded workers to always uphold the principle of “nation first, party second, and self last.” He said this philosophy had helped the BJP gain public trust and should continue to guide its political conduct, particularly in the run-up to a crucial election.
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Call to Gear Up for Elections
Earlier, during the executive meeting, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had urged party members to intensify preparations for the upcoming polls. Calling it the last executive meeting before the elections and the first Assembly polls after delimitation, Sarma said it was imperative for the BJP to win in order to protect the identity of Assam and the Assamese people. He asserted that the delimitation exercise had ensured safeguards for indigenous communities and expressed confidence that voters now trusted only the BJP. Emphasising development, Sarma highlighted major initiatives such as the semiconductor project and the new unit at the Namrup fertiliser plant, reiterating Prime Minister Modi’s strong commitment to Assam and the Northeast.
