Akhil Gogoi’s New Assam Pitch: Visionary or Overambitious?

Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi, accompanied by party leaders and workers, visited Sonapur on Thursday and offered prayers to Assam's most celebrated cultural icon and hearththrob Zubeen Garg at the Zubeen Kshetra ahead of the party’s Foundation Day programme.

Party leaders described the visit as “a mark of respect to Assam’s cultural soul” and said it reflected the party’s emotional connect with the people of the state.

The visit marked the beginning of Raijor Dal’s fifth Foundation Day celebrations, during which the party unveiled its political roadmap and governance vision for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.

Speaking on the occasion, Akhil Gogoi said the Foundation Day was “not merely an organisational milestone but the beginning of a decisive political struggle for a new Assam.”

On the occasion of the Foundation Day, Akhil Gogoi and Raijor Dal leaders adopted five major resolutions at the Zubeen Kshetra. The party pledged to transform Assam into a state with year-round agricultural activity within five years by ensuring uninterrupted irrigation facilities so that farming can be carried out throughout the year. “Assam must move towards twelve-month agriculture if farmers are to survive with dignity,” Gogoi said.

Secondly, the party also committed to providing land pattas to all indigenous people of the state. Party leaders stated that land rights would form the foundation of economic and social security for indigenous communities.

Raijor Dal further announced that Minimum Support Price (MSP) would be ensured for agricultural produce grown by farmers in Assam, while arrangements would be made so that consumers are able to purchase goods at fair prices. “Farmers must get their due, and consumers must not be exploited,” Gogoi said. The party resolved to establish small and micro-scale industries in every village and region of the state and to professionally train every Assamese citizen with the aim of promoting self-reliance. Another key resolution adopted was to develop Assam into one of the best tourism states in India, with Gogoi stating that tourism could become “a major driver of employment and income.”

The party leadership stated that crucial decisions regarding the 2026 Assembly elections, including the number of constituencies Raijor Dal will contest and the strategy it will adopt, are expected to be finalised during meetings held on the Foundation Day. “All strategic decisions will be taken collectively and transparently,” party sources said.

Raijor Dal has also begun the process of preparing its manifesto for the 2026 elections. A draft manifesto was adopted during an extended executive committee meeting, following which the party will hold detailed discussions with subject experts before releasing the final document for the public. The party announced that the final manifesto will be released by January 15, which Gogoi described as “a manifesto of hope, dignity and economic justice.”

According to the draft manifesto, if Raijor Dal comes to power, a new Assam will be built by including all legitimate Indian citizens residing in the state. Assam will be developed into a multi-crop agricultural state so that cultivation can take place throughout all twelve months of the year. The party has proposed a system through which local people will gain control over local, inter-state and international markets, enabling Assamese producers and traders to dominate market networks. Raijor Dal has also outlined plans to open Assam’s eastern corridor for international trade and to position the state as the gateway to South-East Asian commerce. Measures will be taken to ensure that indigenous people gain control over online platforms as well. The party has proposed setting up one or two industrial units in every village and urban area to eliminate unemployment and create a jobless-free Assam. It also plans to expand tourism infrastructure and develop Assam as the tourism hub of India.

Akhil Gogoi stated that Raijor Dal’s model for a “New Assam” would be built on indigenous leadership while including people of all languages and religions, supported by a new agricultural system, a new trade and commerce framework, a new industrial policy and a renewed focus on tourism development. “These five pillars will define the future of Assam,” he said, adding that these initiatives would change the future of farmers and the working class in the state. Describing the party’s manifesto as Assam’s first revolutionary manifesto, Gogoi said it has been prepared with the objective of making every citizen of the state prosperous and happy.

During the Foundation Day programme, Raijor Dal also announced a series of guarantees. The party promised justice for singer Zubeen Garg by preparing a fresh chargesheet with additional sections and ensuring punishment for those found guilty. “Justice will not be symbolic, it will be legal and complete,” Gogoi said.

It reiterated its commitment to building a new Assam under indigenous leadership by bringing together all communities and lawful Indian citizens. The party guaranteed twelve-month farming facilities and Minimum Support Price for farmers, along with a monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000 for every woman, farmers above the age of sixty, persons with disabilities and transgender persons. It pledged to develop markets for all products manufactured in Assam and to establish industries in every village to eliminate unemployment. Interest-free loans will be provided to indigenous entrepreneurs, while the Old Pension Scheme will be implemented for all state government employees. Raijor Dal also promised free skill development training for all men and women, adequate appointment of teachers for every class and subject in all schools, international-standard training for teachers, and free quality healthcare at AIIMS standards.

The party further announced guarantees of non-implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, one hundred per cent deportation of foreigners, free land pattas, wage hikes for tea garden workers, Scheduled Tribe status for six communities, and the creation of a flood-free Assam. It also committed to completing the NRC process, issuing national cards to those included in the NRC, ensuring complete deportation of foreigners, and permanently resolving the issue of D-voters.

Raijor Dal is observing its Foundation Day with a day-long programme at Dichang Resort. Prior to the main event, party leaders and representatives visited the Zubeen Kshetra at Sonapur and offered prayers as part of the celebrations.

Also Read: Assam BJP Slams Akhil Gogoi, Calls His Allegations ‘Imaginary Fairytales’