Himanta Biswa Sarma Pledges to Clear 5 Lakh Bighas of Encroached Land in Assam Poll Pitch

GUWAHATI — Intensifying the political heat ahead of the Assembly elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced a massive crackdown on land encroachment, promising to clear 5 lakh bighas of land if the BJP returns to power.

During a campaign stop in Barpeta, the Chief Minister outlined a policy aimed at reclaiming land from influential encroachers to redistribute it to the poor. Sarma estimated that nearly 50 lakh bighas are currently under illegal occupation across the state.

Ideological Attack on Congress

Sarma launched a sharp critique of the Congress party’s vision for "Bor Axom" (Greater Assam), targeting Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi.

• Cultural Identity: The CM alleged that Gogoi’s vision excludes regional icons like Srimanta Sankardev while focusing on Bangladesh-origin "Miya" people.
• Political Standing: He asserted that the Congress is "almost dead" in the state, positioning the BJP as the protector of indigenous interests.

Sarcastic Jibes and Local Confidence

The Chief Minister also took aim at other opposition figures while expressing supreme confidence in his own re-election.

• Lurinjyoti Gogoi: Sarma mocked the Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP) leader with sarcastic remarks regarding his personal motivations for seeking office.
• Jalukbari Stronghold: Seeking re-election, Sarma predicted his vote share would rise from 74% to nearly 85-90% this time.
• 31-Point Manifesto: The CM revealed that the BJP’s upcoming manifesto will feature 31 key promises, with the top five already being highlighted during his campaign.

Strategic Context

By framing the election as a battle over land and cultural identity, Sarma is doubling down on the "insider vs. outsider" narrative. The promise of large-scale evictions signals a continuation of the government's aggressive stance on land reform and demographic protection.