What Raijor Dal Promises If It Wins Assam in 2026

Guwahati: Raijor Dal on Sunday evening released its election manifesto for the 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly elections at a press conference, outlining an expansive political, economic, and social roadmap for the state.

The manifesto was formally unveiled by party chief Akhil Gogoi along with senior office-bearers of the party.

The manifesto details Raijor Dal’s proposed course of action if voted to power and is anchored around the promise of building a prosperous, skilled, secure, and united Assam. Party leaders described the document as a blueprint for long-term transformation rather than a conventional list of electoral assurances.

Introducing the manifesto, Raijor Dal stated that its vision for Assam is rooted in the leadership of indigenous communities, where all residents of the state would become active stakeholders in shaping their own future. The party described its 2026 programme as a commitment to economic self-rule, driven by scientific agriculture, expanded trade, universal skill development, promotion of small-scale industries, and the development of tourism at international standards.

Focus on Agriculture and Rural Economy

Agriculture has been positioned as a core pillar of the manifesto. Raijor Dal described Assam’s soil as its primary resource and pledged to transform farmers from symbolic figures into successful agricultural entrepreneurs. The party announced plans for a three-crop agricultural revolution, supported by state-funded irrigation systems, electric and solar-powered pump networks, and assured farming throughout all twelve months of the year.

The manifesto promises the establishment of 'Krishak Mukti Kendra' in every blocks, equipped with warehouses, cold storage facilities, and direct market access to prevent exploitation by middlemen. New market systems will also be created to improve farmers’ earnings.

Certain regions of Assam will be developed as 100 percent organic zones to promote organic sovereignty and enhance global demand for Assam’s agricultural products. The party committed to ensuring government-backed Minimum Support Prices for at least 20 indigenous crops, including rice, maize, mustard, jute, pulses, ginger, turmeric, Bhut Jolokia, vegetables, green tea leaves produced by small tea growers, and rubber cultivated by small farmers.

Economic Policy and Industrial Development

On the economic front, Raijor Dal proposed the creation of an “Assam Economic Task Force,” comprising global experts, with the objective of doubling Assam’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). A single-window clearance system is proposed to provide all approvals to local entrepreneurs within seven days.

The party stated that it believes in placing economic control in the hands of the people rather than large corporates. Under its plan, at least one small industry would be established in every village, including wood processing, Muga and Eri silk textiles, bamboo-based modern products, banana-based baby food, and jackfruit-based food processing units.

Through a statewide network of small industries, Raijor Dal pledged to ensure dignified employment for at least one member of every family. Illegal coal mining would be completely halted, while the Assam government would take responsibility for regulated coal extraction, including in neighbouring states, to establish coal-based industries.

District-wise food parks with agro-processing units tailored to local produce were also announced, such as ginger processing units in Karbi Anglong and banana processing units in Goalpara.

The party outlined plans to generate additional revenue from the tea sector by diversifying production into green tea, white tea, brewed tea, and flavoured tea, while modernising the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre into the world’s largest digital tea trading platform.

A Green Cess on industries was proposed in recognition of Assam’s forests and tea gardens as major carbon sinks. While opposing large hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh and other neighbouring states, Raijor Dal stated it would seek revenue from electricity generated by medium and small hydropower projects in neighbouring regions and Bhutan.

To enhance non-tax revenue, the manifesto proposes strict monitoring of mining activities, complete digitisation of auctions for minerals, sand, soil, and stone, and development of a bamboo-based ethanol economy, including multiple ethanol plants similar to the one at Numaligarh Refinery.

A ₹5,000-crore Assam Start-up Fund has been proposed to support indigenous youth entrepreneurs.

Market Expansion, Skills and Tourism

Raijor Dal said it aims to establish Assam as India’s gateway to South-East Asia, capturing markets in neighbouring northeastern states as well as online platforms. A government export corporation would promote global branding of indigenous products such as Joha rice, Bora rice, black rice, Bao-dhaan rice, Kaji Nemu, Gol Nemu, Bhut Jolokia, and ginger.

The party set a target for Assam to become the number one state in India in poultry, egg, feed, livestock, and fisheries production, enabling market expansion to neighbouring states and countries like Bhutan and Nepal.

Skill development forms a central theme of the manifesto. Education, the party said, should focus not only on degrees but on practical skills and personality development. Under the proposed “Assam Skill Mission,” government-funded training would be provided in artificial intelligence, data science, robotics, digital services, and advanced engineering.

Skill upgradation would cover homemakers, nurses, security guards, drivers, and others, along with training in Hindi, English, and foreign languages where required. Recruitment through APSC and other government processes would be fully transparent and merit-based. Coding and technical education would be made compulsory from the higher secondary level, supported by finishing schools to prepare students for employment.

The service and hospitality sectors would receive special emphasis, leveraging Assam’s cultural traditions, hospitality, and indigenous values.

Tourism development aims to position Assam as a major national and international destination. Heritage sites in Sivasagar, including Rang Ghar, Kareng Ghar, and Talatal Ghar, would be preserved to UNESCO standards. Tribal lifestyles, culture, cuisine, and attire would be promoted globally, alongside eco-friendly Brahmaputra river tourism.

Under the “Atithi Mela” scheme, financial support would be provided to 50,000 indigenous families to develop homestays across the state.

Education, Health, Identity and Governance

The manifesto promises free, quality education and healthcare. Every primary school would have well-designed classrooms, adequate teachers, and support staff, with mandatory annual training for teachers to meet international standards. Every village, tea garden line, and panchayat would have a national-standard primary health centre.

Free medical treatment, medicines, diagnostics, and mental health services would be provided. Long-standing issues faced by NHM staff, doctors, nurses, 108 ambulance workers, ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, and others would be addressed through better remuneration.

On identity and land rights, Raijor Dal reiterated its commitment to a foreigner-free Assam, pledging identification and deportation of all foreigners who entered after March 24, 1971, completion of NRC without inclusion of foreigners, resolution of D-voter cases, and land pattas for indigenous landless families, tea workers, and pre-1971 Indian citizens. The party reaffirmed its opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act and commitment to implementing Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

Special emphasis was placed on tea workers under the slogan “From Worker to Owner,” promising wage hikes, social security, PF clearance, land ownership rights, improved healthcare and education facilities, and MSP for green tea leaves of small tea growers.

Flood and erosion management would be pursued through scientific river management, international expertise, dredging, smart embankments, and permanent rehabilitation of erosion-affected families.

The manifesto also calls for empowering Sixth Schedule councils, granting constitutional protection to plains tribes, tribal status for six communities, special constitutional provisions for Assam similar to Articles 371A, 371F, and 371J, transparent governance, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for government employees, opposition to large dams, women empowerment through SHGs, sports development, protection of migrant workers, resolution of inter-state border disputes, and reinvestigation into the death of popular artist Zubeen Garg.

Funding for the proposed initiatives would be mobilised by curbing wastage, increasing Orunodoi payments to ₹3,000 while discontinuing other beneficiary schemes, expanding production and trade, increasing investment in profitable enterprises, improving GST compliance, and demanding Assam’s rightful share of royalties and central taxes.

Alliance Talks with Congress Progressing

Meanwhile, reacting to the meeting between Akhil Gogoi and Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, Raijor Dal stated that alliance discussions have progressed nearly 80 percent, with only 20 percent remaining. Party leaders said that if Gaurav Gogoi takes a few more steps forward, the alliance could be finalised.

Party sources informed that the meeting held on Sunday morning lasted nearly two hours and was described as cordial and constructive. Raijor Dal said it would like to project Gaurav Gogoi as the Chief Ministerial face for the 2026 elections. Differences over seat-sharing have largely been resolved.

The party revealed that it had initially submitted a list of 20 constituencies and indicated that allocation of 15 seats would be sufficient. Gaurav Gogoi reportedly described the list as very good. The alliance is expected to be finalised within a day or two.

Raijor Dal also stated that it was prepared to contest 66 seats on its own and had received 145 applications from aspirants seeking party tickets.

Also Read: ‘If Opposition Unites, BJP Is Finished’: Akhil Gogoi’s Election Warning