As Assam heads into the final phase of its Assembly election campaign, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has intensified the Bharatiya Janata Party’s messaging by strongly linking the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) with concerns over illegal infiltration and tribal protection. Addressing a rally in Dudhnoi in Goalpara district, Shah argued that a uniform legal framework would help eliminate what he described as misuse of personal laws by undocumented migrants. He positioned the UCC as a tool not only for legal uniformity but also for reinforcing social stability and reducing the influence of infiltrators in the state’s demographic and political landscape.
UCC, Tribal Safeguards, and Political Messaging
Shah asserted that the implementation of the UCC would prevent practices such as polygamy in the context of his remarks, stating that infiltrators would not be able to exploit legal loopholes. At the same time, he clarified that tribal areas would remain outside the scope of the UCC, presenting the BJP as a protector of indigenous identity and constitutional safeguards. This dual positioning aims to balance the party’s push for a “one nation, one law” framework while reassuring tribal communities that their cultural autonomy will remain intact. Shah also linked his argument to developments in neighbouring Meghalaya, suggesting that demographic and social shifts driven by outsiders attempting to gain influence through marriage had led to unrest in tribal regions.
Anti-Infiltration Stance and Tribal Welfare Commitments
Reinforcing the BJP’s long-standing stance on illegal immigration, Shah promised that if the party is given another term in power, it will intensify efforts to identify and expel infiltrators from Assam. He claimed that groundwork has already been completed and that a renewed mandate would enable the government to take stronger action. Alongside this, he outlined a tribal development roadmap prepared under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, emphasizing increased budget allocations for tribal welfare compared to previous governments. Shah also highlighted symbolic and political representation gains, citing the elevation of tribal leadership at the national level, and announced practical welfare measures such as establishing dairy infrastructure in every district and providing livestock support to tribal households.
Campaign Narrative Ahead of April 9 Polls
With polling scheduled for April 9 across 126 Assembly constituencies and counting set for May 4, the BJP is attempting to consolidate its support base through a mix of development promises, cultural identity themes, and security-focused narratives. Shah asserted that the BJP has contributed to restoring peace in Assam and warned that a return of opposition forces could reverse these gains. The party, contesting alongside allies such as the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), is aiming for a third consecutive term. Meanwhile, opposition alliances, including the Congress-led bloc, have criticized the BJP’s emphasis on UCC and infiltration as divisive. The election is emerging as a key contest over competing visions of governance, identity, and development in the state.
