SILCHAR | Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on September 30 stepped up the BJP’s campaign for the Silchar Municipal Corporation elections, seeking a clean sweep for the BJP-led NDA while promising Rs 1 crore in development funding for every ward if BJP candidates are elected.

Addressing a large BJP election meeting at the Police Parade Ground in Silchar, Sarma appealed to voters to support the party’s candidates contesting all 42 wards of the municipal corporation. The meeting was attended by BJP workers, supporters and residents from different parts of the city and was also addressed by state ministers, MLAs and other party leaders.

Sarma said the BJP had already won two SMC seats uncontested and urged voters to back the NDA candidates in the remaining 40 wards. “BJP would have anyway won 30-35 seats. But I urge your support in ensuring that it is a clean sweep for us,” he said.

The chief minister also announced that Rs 1 crore would be allocated for development in each ward if BJP candidates are elected. He said the state government would also provide separate funds to the Silchar Municipal Corporation to enable it to undertake minor development works independently.

Sarma outlined a broader development agenda for Silchar and Barak Valley, with connectivity forming a major part of his pitch. He said road, rail and air connectivity to the region was being strengthened and would help accelerate the transformation of southern Assam.

Among the projects highlighted by him were a proposed super-express corridor connecting Silchar to Siliguri via Guwahati, a new railway line bypassing Dima Hasao to ensure uninterrupted train connectivity, and a proposed greenfield airport at Doloo.

“Once connectivity is improved, automatic transformation will happen,” Sarma said.

On civic infrastructure, he promised better roads, a drinking water project, CCTV cameras and measures to control crime in the corporation area. The chief minister also targeted the Congress during his address and cited the BJP-led government’s development initiatives in Silchar.

Referring to the April Assembly elections, Sarma said the BJP-led NDA had retained power in Assam with 102 of the state’s 126 seats. He said the government would work during its five-year term with the stated objective of winning all 126 Assembly seats in the 2031 elections.

Sarma also addressed allegations concerning candidates’ documents, saying legal action would be taken if any candidate was found to have submitted a fake certificate. He said the person concerned could face imprisonment if found guilty. He further said he would return to Silchar during the upcoming Durga Puja festivities.

“We will fulfil all our promises, and I can assure you of development and good governance,” Sarma said. Polling for the Silchar Municipal Corporation elections will be held on October 3 from 7.30 am to 4 pm, while counting of votes is scheduled for October 6