Ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the minister highlights infrastructure gains, welfare delivery, and industrial investment under coordinated Centre-State leadership
Guwahati, March 27: Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita on Friday credited Assam’s recent development to what he described as “double-engine” governance—alignment between the central government led by Narendra Modi and the state administration under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Speaking at a press conference in Titabor ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, the minister said coordinated policymaking has accelerated infrastructure growth, improved welfare delivery, and attracted major investments to the state.
Margherita said Assam has witnessed faster decision-making and execution of projects due to close coordination between the Centre and the state government. He pointed to large-scale investments, including a proposed ₹27,000 crore semiconductor manufacturing facility, as evidence of growing investor confidence. Infrastructure expansion in sectors such as roads, railways, and healthcare was cited as a key outcome of this governance model. Welfare schemes, he said, are reaching beneficiaries directly through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, reducing leakages.
The minister also claimed that over 1.65 lakh government jobs have been provided in recent years through what he described as transparent recruitment processes.
Addressing reporters, Margherita said there is “a strong public sentiment” in favour of continuing the current governance model for another term. He argued that alignment between the Centre and the state has enabled efficient use of central funds and avoided administrative delays. In contrast, he suggested that states without such coordination often face slower implementation of development projects.
The “double-engine government” is a political term used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to describe situations where the same party or alliance governs both the Centre and a state. The party maintains that this alignment improves policy execution and speeds up development projects.
Assam has been governed by the BJP-led alliance since 2016, with Himanta Biswa Sarma taking over as Chief Minister in 2021. The upcoming 2026 Assembly elections are expected to test the continuity of this model.
According to the minister, development initiatives have had a visible impact across multiple sectors. Assam is positioned among faster-growing states, with rising per capita income and increased industrial investment. Government recruitment drives are aimed at reducing unemployment, particularly among youth. Social welfare schemes such as Orunodoi and Nijut Moina are targeted at women and economically weaker sections, providing financial assistance and support.
On law and order, the minister noted improvements in security conditions, stating that the application of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been reduced to fewer districts. He also highlighted initiatives to preserve Assam’s cultural heritage, including the development of sites linked to Srimanta Sankardev and recognition of historical locations such as Charaideo.
With elections approaching, Margherita urged voters to support a BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to maintain the current development trajectory. The coming months are expected to see intensified political campaigning in Assam, with governance performance and development outcomes likely to remain central themes in the electoral debate.
inputs and images : Hindustan samachar
Edited By D.Rishidhar Reddy
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