With several elections approaching in Assam, the state Congress has begun sharpening its organisational and public campaign strategy, putting environmental concerns, youth issues and what it calls anti-people policies at the centre of its political agenda.
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) discussed the strategy at a review meeting led by party president Gaurav Gogoi on August 16. Preparations for the forthcoming Lok Sabha by-election, autonomous council elections and municipal polls figured prominently in the discussions as the party looked at ways to strengthen its presence at the grassroots.
A major focus of the meeting was the environmental impact of alleged coal, stone and sand syndicate activities. The Congress plans to take the issue directly to the people and conduct a wider campaign on what it claims are the links between unregulated extraction and the deterioration of the environment, particularly in areas of Upper Assam that have recently faced severe flooding.
The party’s position comes alongside its assessment of the relief work carried out by its workers during the floods. According to the APCC, Congress volunteers have been involved in repairing damaged houses, clearing schools and places of worship and helping educational institutions get back into operation. Members of Seva Dal, Mahila Congress, Youth Congress and NSUI have participated in these efforts, while assistance has also been extended to farmers through the supply of paddy seedlings and support for transplantation.
The Congress has also decided to make Kaziranga and indigenous land issues part of its broader public campaign. At the meeting, the party adopted a resolution against the reported proposal to reduce the eco-sensitive zone around Kaziranga National Park from 10 km to 1 km. It also opposed the proposed acquisition of indigenous land at Engleng Pathar for transfer to large corporate interests.
Party leaders said these matters would be taken up through a wider public mobilisation campaign as the APCC seeks to build support around environmental protection and the interests of local communities.
Education and the political orientation of institutions also came up for discussion. The APCC expressed objections to the appointment of individuals linked with the RSS as vice-chancellors in Assam and elsewhere and raised allegations concerning the selection of college principals. These remain political claims made by the Congress.
The meeting also turned attention towards younger voters and the concerns of Gen-Z. The party approved plans for a state-level youth convention where issues affecting young people and their expectations from the education and employment system are expected to be discussed.
At the organisational level, the Congress is preparing training programmes across different zones to strengthen its cadre ahead of the elections. The party’s social media wing also held a separate meeting as part of efforts to improve its communication and outreach network.
The latest decisions indicate that the APCC intends to combine election preparedness with campaigns around environmental protection, land rights, education and youth concerns as it works to expand its grassroots engagement across Assam.
