Assam: With the Assam Assembly elections just months away, the political fight has moved to the streets. The Congress-led opposition is carrying out its “Samay Parivartan Yatra”, also known as “Mati Bachao, Jati Bachao”, while the ruling BJP will begin its “Jana Ashirwad Yatra tomorrow. Both campaigns are aimed at winning support for the 126 Assembly seats in the elections expected in April-May 2026.
The Congress yatra began on February 5 from Manabendra Bhawan in Guwahati. It is being led by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, along with senior leaders Debabrata Saikia and Rakibul Hussain. The main focus of the campaign is Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his family. Congress leaders have raised questions about alleged irregularities in the purchase of nearly 12,000 bighas of land. They have also alleged that while thousands of government schools were closed during Sarma’s tenure as Education Minister, a private school was opened on 60 bighas of land. The yatra vehicle has been visiting places linked to these properties, demanding transparency and answers on the use of public funds.
On February 26, Gogoi launched the second phase of the yatra from Golaghat, covering villages and the national highway. He accused the Chief Minister of creating “an atmosphere of fear” to hide corruption. He said once that fear ends, Sarma will lose his chair. The Congress has also raised land rights issues in areas like Doyang, claiming that locals are still waiting for pattas while families linked to the BJP have allegedly acquired large areas of land after the Basundhara schemes. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are expected to join the campaign at key points.
The Congress campaign has faced internal and external challenges. Some party workers protested over seat-sharing arrangements with allies like Assam Jatiya Parishad. Former state chief Bhupen Borah recently joined the BJP, saying the Congress lacks funds and direction. There have also been clashes during the yatra, including stone-pelting in Sonitpur and tense scenes in Lakhimpur. Despite this, the party says it will continue its outreach, promising peace, unity and better governance.
On the other hand, the BJP’s 10-day Jana Ashirwad Yatra will begin on February 28. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will lead the campaign, travelling more than 400 km across 22 key constituencies in several districts. Senior ministers and leaders will join him to meet both rural and urban voters. The BJP plans to highlight its work in infrastructure, healthcare, education, employment and social welfare. It will also stress the protection of Assam’s cultural identity and demographic balance. A “Reel on Development” contest has been planned to involve young voters on social media.
Sarma has said the NDA alliance is strong in at least 103 of the 126 seats. He described the yatra as a way to seek the blessings and support of the people. Union Minister Pabitra Margherita said it would strengthen the party’s grassroots connect and counter the opposition’s allegations.
