Majuli, March 30: Development and cultural preservation dominated the political narrative in Majuli on Monday, as Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a series of major initiatives while campaigning for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Bhuban Gam.
Speaking at a public rally in the river island district, Sarma outlined a comprehensive roadmap aimed at transforming Majuli into a key educational and cultural hub in Assam. The proposed initiatives focus on strengthening healthcare, higher education, infrastructure, and flood control systems.
Among the key announcements, the Chief Minister said a medical college will be established in Majuli to improve healthcare accessibility in the region. He also declared an allocation of ₹250 crore to upgrade the Majuli University for Culture into a full-fledged university. The vision, he said, is to position Majuli as an academic centre offering subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Economics, and Political Science.
Addressing infrastructure gaps, Sarma proposed the construction of a modern auditorium with a seating capacity of 2,000 people, noting that the district currently lacks such a facility.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the urgent need to tackle erosion and flooding, which have long affected Majuli. He announced a geo-tube embankment project expected to protect and reclaim nearly 45,000 bighas of farmland, providing relief to farmers and strengthening agricultural sustainability.
Emphasising Majuli’s cultural and spiritual importance, Sarma referred to the legacy of Srimanta Sankardeva and the island’s Vaishnavite heritage, describing it as central to Assam’s identity.
Launching a political attack on the opposition Indian National Congress, Sarma alleged that previous governments had neglected Majuli. He asserted that while Congress viewed the constituency as a burden, the BJP considers it an ideal constituency deserving focused development.
He further claimed that he has visited Majuli at least 15 times in the last five years, adding that the combined visits by himself and former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal exceed those made by earlier Congress leaders.
Continuing his criticism, Sarma accused Congress of prioritising certain vote banks over indigenous concerns, alleging that party leaders focused more on areas with a higher presence of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants rather than regions like Majuli.
Framing the election as an ideological choice, Sarma questioned the Congress’s vision of a “new Assam,” invoking historical figures such as Srimanta Sankardeva and Sukapha to underline the state’s cultural roots.
With elections approaching, Majuli has emerged as a key focus area in Upper Assam, with development promises and political narratives shaping the campaign discourse.
