Urmi Bhattacharjee

Guwahati, May 6: A decisive, almost one-sided mandate has brought Himanta Biswa Sarma back to power, with the Bharatiya Janata Party winning 82 seats on its own and the NDA crossing the 100 mark in a 126-member Assembly. The scale of the victory stands out. It gives the government a clear political runway, and it raises the bar for what comes next.

The first term was driven by visible delivery. Infrastructure moved to the centre of governance. Projects like the Dhola–Sadiya Bridge and the Bogibeel Bridge improved connectivity in Upper Assam.Work on the North Guwahati–Guwahati bridge is expected to ease congestion and cut travel time across the Brahmaputra. Road expansion across districts and the push on inland waterways through National Waterway 2 added to that momentum.

Tourism became part of the state’s outward pitch. Focus areas included Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park, along with river cruises and cultural circuits. Homestay models and private investment were encouraged.
Tourist numbers have picked up after the pandemic, and the state continues to position itself as a gateway to the Northeast. The next phase will depend on how much of this translates into steady local employment.

Healthcare expansion has been more visible on the ground. Assam has increased its number of medical colleges from around six earlier to over a dozen that are now operational or under development. Districts such as Lakhimpur, Dhubri and Nagaon have seen new facilities.

Insurance coverage widened through schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Atal Amrit Abhiyan. Access has improved, although quality and staffing gaps remain in some areas.
Education has expanded in parallel. Model colleges, polytechnics and skill centres have been added across districts. The Nijut Moina scheme has brought financial support to girl students to reduce dropout rates.
Concerns around learning outcomes and employability continue to come up, especially outside urban centres.

Welfare has scaled up quickly. The Orunodoi scheme now reaches over 25 lakh beneficiaries, providing monthly financial support to vulnerable households, largely women. Swanirbhar Naari has focused on self-help groups and rural income generation.
These programmes have created a safety net across districts.

What appears to have worked politically is the combination of visible delivery and constant ground engagement. Welfare schemes ensured a steady presence in households, especially among women voters. Infrastructure projects created a sense of movement and change.

A strong law-and-order narrative, including action on drugs and land encroachment, reinforced the government’s positioning. The campaign stayed local and consistent, while the opposition remained fragmented.
Employment remains a pressure point. Recruitment drives have filled thousands of government posts. Investment summits have brought in proposals.
Large-scale private job creation is still limited. Many young people continue to look for stable opportunities, particularly outside Guwahati.

The core political issue of citizenship and illegal immigration remains unresolved. The National Register of Citizens process excluded around 19 lakh people and is still tied up in appeals and re-verification.
The Citizenship Amendment Act has been notified, with implementation evolving. There is a clear expectation of closure on this front.

Flooding continues to affect large parts of the state every year. Embankment work and mitigation efforts are ongoing, but damage to crops, homes and infrastructure remains significant in several districts.

The mandate is clear and the expectations are sharper now. People have seen delivery. They will now look for depth.
This term will be judged by how far governance moves from visible change to lasting impact.

Also Read: Assam verdict raises questions on dynastic politics as ex-CM sons lose key seats

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