Congress unveils BTR vision document, promises inclusive people-centric development

Guwahati, September 17: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Tuesday unveiled its Vision Document 2025 for the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), promising a roadmap for peace, prosperity, and inclusive growth ahead of the upcoming BTC elections scheduled for September 22.

The manifesto, released by Assam PCC President Gaurav Gogoi and senior Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi, lays emphasis on protecting the rights of indigenous communities, strengthening autonomy under the Sixth Schedule, and ensuring socio-economic development across Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri, and Tamulpur districts.

Speaking at the launch, Gaurav Gogoi said the Congress vision stands in stark contrast to the BJP-led governance, which he accused of working to benefit corporate houses.

“The difference between Congress and BJP is that Congress is people-centric, while BJP is Adani–Ambani-centric. Himanta Biswa Sarma, through successive BTC councils led by UPPL and BPF, has betrayed indigenous people by giving away their land to corporate giants like Adani, Ambani, and Patanjali. Congress will never allow such exploitation. We stand firmly with the Bodo, Rabha, Koch Rajbongshi, Adivasi, and other communities,” Gogoi said.

He further criticised the state government’s failure to deliver on promises of land rights, quality healthcare, and infrastructure.

“The Chief Minister promised land rights five years ago, yet nothing has materialised. Our medical facilities remain understaffed, roads are in disrepair, and forests continue to be destroyed. After September 10, people have lost trust in him, his words carry no value anymore,” Gogoi remarked.

The Congress leader added that the party’s agenda is rooted in empowerment, not exploitation.

“They may try to make me a zero by dragging my name into SIT cases, but eventually, the Chief Minister will turn into a zero. I am happy to stand with the people,” Gogoi said.

Senior Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi, who played a key role in drafting the Vision Document, stressed that the party will contest independently this time.

“In 2003, under Tarun Gogoi, we respected the ideals of Upen Rabha Bodofa while signing the Bodo Accord with BPF. But corruption and misgovernance meant the promises remained unfulfilled. This time, we are contesting every constituency with a clear roadmap for development. Unlike BPF and UPPL, who secretly align with BJP for their vested interests, Congress stands for genuine empowerment and transparency,” Bordoloi said.

The BTR Vision Document 2025 lays out several core commitments, including:

• Strengthening autonomy and good governance by ensuring financial independence for BTC under Article 280.
• Land and resource rights for locals residing in BTR before 2003.
• Healthcare and education upgrades, including telemedicine facilities and zero school dropout targets by 2030.
• Youth employment and start-up support through a local-first policy and Bodoland Start-Up Fund.
• Tourism and eco-development by transforming BTR into a hub of eco-tourism, cultural festivals, and homestay circuits.
• Women empowerment through reserved tenders, cooperatives, and nutrition schemes.
• Environmental protection with disaster resilience missions and human-elephant conflict mitigation strategies.

The Congress pledged to make BTR a model of inclusive governance, where dignity, identity, and opportunity for all communities are guaranteed.

“Our pledge is to rebuild Bodoland into a land of peace, prosperity, and dignity. We envision a BTR that not only keeps pace with Assam and the Northeast but also leads in development, cultural pride, and sustainability,” Gogoi concluded.