Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma greets his supporters during a rally ahead of assembly elections in Nazira, Sivasagar district of Assam, April 4, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI
GUWAHATI
Less than a week before Assam goes to polls on April 9, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has shifted its focus from infiltrators and identity politics to youth empowerment and flood mitigation.
Information Minister Pijush Hazarika, who is seeking to retain the Jagiroad Assembly seat, said on Saturday (April 4, 2026) that Assam has ushered in a transformational period of development, confidence and prosperity for its youth. He credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for the government’s youth initiatives.
In a statement of commitment to job creation, Mr. Hazarika said the government has surpassed its 2021 election promise of 1.65 lakh government jobs by providing 1.65 lakh jobs. “We have a firm goal of exceeding two million jobs in the next five years,” he added.
Youth initiatives
As examples of the government’s commitment, he highlighted the Air Chief Minister’s initiative to equip the youth with global-level skills, with a financial assistance of ₹1 lakh to each beneficiary, and the establishment of the Northeast’s first Maritime Skill Development Center in Guwahati.
“Through the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan, more than one million youth have received financial assistance of over ₹1,000 crore, with an ambitious plan to support 10 million youth with up to ₹5 crore in the coming five years,” Mr. Hazarika said. He also noted that by 2021, 12.75 million MSME units have created employment for more than 82 million youth. He said 615 start-ups were supported during this period.
“We have institutionalized free coaching for competitive exams including UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), APSC (Assam Public Service Commission) and SSC (Staff Selection Commission) along with specialized coaching for JEE (Joint Entrance Examination), NEET (National Eligibility Test – Entrance Test), CLAT (Common Law Entrance Test) and University Entrance Test emphasis hetrance on Industrial growth.
The Zubeen Garg Factor
The perceived disillusionment of Gen Z and Gen Alpha seeking justice for late singer Zubeen Garg is seen as a factor behind the shift in the BJP’s poll narrative. Similarly, the party outlined its flood mitigation initiatives with pre-monsoon showers threatening flooding and waterlogging.
“The BJP government is not only preventing floods, it is definitely moving towards a permanent solution to the flood crisis in Assam. We have elevated flood management as the core mission of governance with an investment of over ₹ 18,000 crore earmarked for a flood-free mission in Assam over the next five years, underpinned by a long-term strategic framework, Mr. Hazarika.”
As part of the river rejuvenation initiatives, modern embankments are being built using advanced technology, while erosion control and soil restoration measures are implemented. A dedicated flood monitoring unit will be deployed to engage trained volunteers for real-time surveillance,” he said.
Published – 04 Apr 2026 23:07 IST
