As Assam prepares for its 2026 single-phase Assembly election on April 9, the political landscape has taken an interesting turn, particularly with the surprise formation of a six-party alliance.
While it will be interesting to see how events unfold, it is crucial for voters to prioritise long-term needs. Voting shapes our expectations of the next government, so it should be an informed, thoughtful decision that looks beyond immediate election narratives.
Election periods often spotlight issues that dominate headlines and social media, sometimes overshadowing broader developmental concerns like the economy, society, and the environment.
To make meaningful choices, voters should move beyond selective issues and assess party manifestos and vision documents to determine if parties truly plan for holistic development.
A vision document is a “strategic, long-term policy blueprint released by governments, ministries, or organisations to outline specific developmental goals, aspirations, and a roadmap for the future”.
The Assam Vision Document 2030, developed in 2016, aligns with 17 key targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the holistic development of the state. Its core mission is to build a “Secure Assam, Developed Assam, Great Assam,” committed to shaping a state free from poverty and hunger, with opportunity, equity, and access for all. In contrast, a political manifesto is “a public, written document developed by every political party before an election, outlining their plans and promises for governance”.
Simply put, the vision document is the destination, and the manifesto is the roadmap to reach it. Not reading these documents is akin to voting without understanding where we are headed.
To better understand this, let us revisit the 2021 Assam Assembly elections. First, there was the issue of accessibility of political manifestos. Major parties such as the Indian National Congress (INC), which operates at a national level and leads the opposition, do not have easily accessible copies of their state-wise election manifestos from recent years on their websites or those of their state committees.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has its document available online, but it is not properly embedded on its official website. Meanwhile, regional parties such as Raijor Dol (which largely contested as independent candidates in select constituencies at the time) and the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) have manifestos that are mostly accessible through news-based discussions rather than official platforms.
This raises serious concerns, as it becomes difficult to conduct retrospective and comparative analyses of party visions and commitments.
Second, in terms of key promises, the INC and its allies aligned their commitments with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). In contrast, the BJP and its allies aligned their promises with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
Third, a proportional analysis of these promises reveals that the BJP and regional political parties have led in aligning their commitments with the SDG goals, particularly when considering their broader manifestos, discussions, and campaign debates. Their alignment stood at 87.7% and 68.75%, respectively, while the INC accounted for 56.25%.
Fourth, intersectionality is often overlooked in the key promises of political parties. The needs of persons with disabilities received limited attention.
Only two such concerns were addressed in the BJP’s detailed manifesto, and even these were not highlighted as key promises. Similarly, while the Northeast Network presented a women’s manifesto demanding social, economic, and political empowerment, few of these demands were reflected in party promises, apart from provisions such as monthly allowances for housewives.
Lastly, instead of fostering dialogue around manifesto promises, political narratives shifted towards a few dominant issues, such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). While such issues are important and deserve attention, they should not overshadow immediate and long-term developmental needs.
This shift in narrative influences voter behaviour and often alienates voters from their own priorities, as seen in constituencies like Sibsagar and Silchar. In Sibsagar, Akhil Gogoi won the 2021 election due to strong anti-CAA sentiments and his imprisonment, which positioned him as a key voice against the Act.
In Silchar, the BJP secured victory by promising the implementation of the CAA, which resonated with a significant section of the population, particularly among Sylheti Bengalis concerned about NRC exclusions.
A mature democracy does not function in a one-sided manner. It is not limited to political leaders or parties; it equally depends on informed and engaged voters.
Voters should not passively consume speeches or follow sensationalised trends. Instead, they must make an effort to read manifestos, compare promises, and critically evaluate both immediate and long-term needs.
The manifesto remains an underutilised tool that must be brought into mainstream political discourse to ensure accountability.
Before casting a vote, it is worth asking whether a party’s promises truly address everyday concerns and future aspirations. The onus lies on voters to evaluate manifestos and vote based on informed needs for a sustainable future.
A strong democracy thrives only when voters make collective, informed choices and demand accountability. The only way to achieve this is by voting based on promises and political will—not on popular rhetoric.
Views expressed are that of the author and do not reflect EastMojo’s stance on this or any other issue. The author is Program Officer – Javed Abidi Fellowship on Disability at National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP).
Also Read: Vantara in Mizoram: Corporate conservation or political signal?
You just read a story that took days to report. Help us keep our reporters on the ground in the Northeast.
Ad-free reading, support and keep important stories alive
Support once (any amount)
Scan to pay via UPI