The success of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the recent Assam Assembly polls was not unexpected, but the scale of the victory was.
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The success of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the recent Assam Assembly polls was not unexpected, but the scale of the victory was. The alliance won 102 out of 126 seats, with the BJP alone securing an absolute majority with 82 seats. It not only managed to overcome anti-incumbency by retaining power in the state for the third consecutive term but also won with a greater mandate, which is commendable. In the process, opposition parties led by the Indian National Congress have been rendered inconsequential. The credit for the resounding win goes to Himanta Biswa Sarma, who took the oath as Chief Minister of Assam for the second consecutive time on Tuesday. He deserves recognition for the simple reason that he would have faced much criticism had his party faltered, having shouldered all the responsibility during the election campaign. His strong leadership, governance model, policies, and exceptional organisational ability, as well as emphasis on infrastructure development, particularly road connectivity, and welfare schemes, appeared to resonate with the electorate. Additionally, the delimitation exercise, identity politics, and aggressive digital campaigns worked to his advantage. A fragmented opposition further helped secure a historic mandate. In short, everything worked in his favour. He is now expected to bring about more change to the state than he did during his previous term, aligning with the popular saying, "With great power comes great responsibility."
The NDA government led by Sarma is confronted with numerous challenges, one of which is the state’s sluggish economic growth rate. There is growing concern about the state’s rising debt burden and fiscal burden, which can weaken economic growth. The new government should turn the tables by addressing the problems plaguing the state’s economy. Another pressing issue that cannot be left unaddressed is unemployment. Assam may be experiencing visible growth in infrastructure development, but the employment sector remains weak. The government should make a concerted effort to improve its job market by investing in entrepreneurship, tourism, skill development, etc., which will empower youth and help tackle the unemployment issue in the long run. Chief Minister Sarma's leadership will be tested by how effectively he tackles these challenges. Most importantly, he must promote social harmony, an area that has drawn criticism from many, particularly opposition parties, who accuse him of polarising the state's demographics along religious lines. He should change this narrative by ensuring inclusivity in governance and fostering communal harmony and tolerance for the benefit of Assam, the Northeast, and the country as a whole.