Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday launched the Assam BJP’s ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ from Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur district, as the party intensified its outreach ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections, seeking a third consecutive term in office.
The chief minister appealed to voters to extend their support to ensure the BJP retains power and continues what he described as the journey towards a “developed and secure Assam”.
Accompanied by state BJP president Dilip Saikia, Union Minister Pabitra Margherita and other senior leaders, Sarma stood atop an open van leading the procession through Dhekiajuli. Supporters lined both sides of the roads, greeting him with traditional Assamese scarves and flowers, while party leaders waved to cheering crowds.
Addressing supporters before flagging off the yatra, Sarma invoked the BJP’s political trajectory in the state and at the Centre. “It was in 2014 when you all had reposed faith in Narendra Modi ji and elected him the prime minister. In 2016, you (public) instated the first BJP government in Assam, led by Sarbananda Sonowal,” he said.
“Again in 2021, you all voted for the BJP. During this entire period, we have tried to work for the people of the state to the best of our abilities, and the picture of development we see now reflects our dedicated efforts,” he added.
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The chief minister acknowledged that there may have been shortcomings. While mistakes might have been made or certain expectations may not have been fulfilled, he asserted that it was not due to any lack of effort on the government’s part.
“And this is why we have a developed and secure Assam today. My appeal to all is to help BJP retain power so that we can continue to take the state forward in this journey,” Sarma said.
Earlier in the day, he offered prayers at the Gupteswari temple in Dhekiajuli before commencing the political march.
According to party leaders, the yatra will traverse around 70 to 80 kilometres daily, with an outreach target of nearly one lakh people per day. On the first day, it is scheduled to pass through the Assembly constituencies of Dhekiajuli, Borsola, Tezpur, Naduar and Rongapara.
The first phase of the ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ will conclude on March 9 and is slated to cover 34 Assembly constituencies across Assam. The initiative has been organised to take the party’s vision, achievements and organisational objectives to the electorate ahead of the polls.
State Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal has been assigned the responsibility of chief convenor of the yatra, while Union Minister Margherita and other senior leaders have been named co-convenors.
In constituencies where the yatra does not pass, the party plans to organise ‘Jan Ashirwad Sabhas’ as part of its broader outreach strategy.
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