The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam has launched a direct outreach to the public in preparation for the upcoming Panchayat elections on May 2 and 7, 2025. By inviting citizens across the state to submit their suggestions for its election manifesto, the BJP has signalled its commitment to democratic decentralisation and inclusive governance. Party leaders have asserted that the manifesto must not emerge from closed political circles but rather take shape through conversations with ordinary citizens who understand the realities of their localities.
State BJP president Bhabesh Kalita stated during a press conference in Guwahati that the party has opened both online and offline channels to collect opinions, proposals, and grievances from the people. He highlighted that village-level participation will serve as the foundation for this manifesto and that inputs from farmers, women, youth, and marginalised communities will receive particular attention. The BJP has begun distributing feedback forms and organising grassroots meetings to ensure every voter’s voice finds a place in the policy vision for local governance.
The party has also rolled out a dedicated website and WhatsApp number for digital submissions. Volunteers and party workers have already begun visiting rural areas with mobile units to assist villagers in submitting their thoughts, particularly in districts with low digital access. Kalita mentioned that the BJP wants to make governance a two-way conversation and will continue to engage citizens beyond the elections. This effort reflects the growing relevance of participatory politics, especially at the Panchayat level, where decisions impact everyday life directly.
Senior leaders have fanned out across Assam to supervise the manifesto drafting process. Ministers and MLAs have started interacting with Self Help Groups, teacher unions, healthcare workers, and local entrepreneurs to understand specific needs and infrastructure challenges. BJP leaders have promised that the final document will address rural employment, clean drinking water, sanitation, road connectivity, education, health, and skill development, all tailored to the unique context of each district.
Party sources have revealed that the Assam BJP is taking inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance model, which emphasises “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.” In line with this vision, the state unit is attempting to strengthen the last-mile delivery of public services through stronger Panchayats. The leadership has acknowledged that empowered local bodies are essential for building a resilient and prosperous Assam.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged BJP workers to treat the Panchayat elections as an opportunity to connect with people emotionally and ethically. He called for sincere listening, empathy, and transparency in compiling the manifesto. Sarma maintained that this process must reflect not just electoral goals but a genuine intent to transform rural Assam.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have accused the BJP of resorting to pre-election gimmicks. However, BJP spokespersons have countered by stating that public feedback has been part of the party’s DNA and not an election-time stunt. They cited earlier exercises during state and national polls when manifestos carried inputs from grassroots consultations, many of which were implemented as policy.
The BJP’s approach appears to be resonating well among rural voters. Farmers in Barpeta have shared their demands for better irrigation schemes and price support, while women in Dibrugarh have voiced concerns over maternal health facilities. Young people in Kokrajhar have asked for improved internet access and skill-building opportunities. Such dialogues have already begun influencing the manifesto draft, which is expected to be unveiled by mid-April.
The BJP has also partnered with NGOs and academic institutions to analyse and structure the feedback into actionable categories. These experts are helping the party translate community voices into viable local governance strategies. Observers believe this model could set a precedent for participatory manifestos in future local elections.
As the countdown to the Panchayat polls continues, the BJP seems determined to demonstrate that the heart of good governance lies in listening. By putting citizens at the centre of its planning, the Assam BJP aims to craft a manifesto that not only wins votes but also builds enduring trust at the grassroots.
In rural pockets such as Majuli and Dhemaji, BJP workers have launched awareness campaigns to explain how the Panchayat manifesto can directly affect people’s lives. They have organised storytelling sessions and interactive village sabhas where community members share their aspirations with local leaders. Women-led discussions have gained momentum, with housewives, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi employees contributing ideas for better support structures in health and childcare.
In Char Chapori areas, which often remain politically marginalised, the BJP has sent dedicated teams to document problems linked to frequent flooding, lack of embankments, and housing instability. Local coordinators have assured villagers that their submissions will not be discarded as mere suggestions but will form core components of the party’s rural development blueprint. These efforts aim to bridge the long-standing communication gap between elected leaders and communities living in difficult geographies.
In Bodo-dominated regions, party representatives have engaged with youth forums and traditional institutions to understand their needs related to education, preservation of language, and access to government schemes. BJP leaders have spoken of tailoring solutions for these culturally distinct areas rather than applying one-size-fits-all policies. The ongoing dialogue has also helped reduce distrust and opened new avenues of collaboration.
The BJP has tapped into its youth wing to assist with logistical work across blocks and sub-divisions. Young volunteers are helping record responses in regional dialects and translating them for policy researchers based in Guwahati. The party’s tech cell has started categorising feedback by issue and region, which will allow the leadership to identify district-specific development patterns and shape promises accordingly.
In tea garden areas, the BJP has engaged with workers’ unions and welfare bodies to explore better housing, sanitation, and access to electricity. Many labourers have suggested reforms to ensure wage transparency and smoother pension access. The BJP has responded by promising to reflect these demands in a special section of the manifesto dedicated to tea tribe welfare, signalling a shift toward sector-specific solutions.
While the manifesto preparation continues, party insiders have indicated that BJP’s top brass will release a detailed action calendar outlining how they plan to implement key proposals if voted into power in Panchayats. This move is meant to add a layer of accountability to promises made during the campaign. The party believes that this commitment to follow-through will distinguish them from rivals.
BJP leaders have also asked their members to avoid overpromising. Instead, they want realistic, budget-conscious proposals that Panchayats can execute within their jurisdiction. They want to show that decentralisation must come with responsibility and transparent mechanisms for review. The manifesto will carry a section dedicated to monitoring tools and citizen scorecards to evaluate the performance of elected Panchayat representatives.
Through this manifesto initiative, the BJP has created a moment where rural citizens see themselves not just as voters but as co-authors of a developmental roadmap. The sense of ownership and inclusion it has triggered may alter how parties design future electoral strategies. If effectively executed, this manifesto could stand as a landmark experiment in participatory democracy for Assam’s rural governance.