GUWAHATI: Buoyed by the NDA’s sweeping electoral victory, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday, May 26, declared that Assam is on track to become a ₹10 lakh crore economy by 2028, asserting that the state is witnessing one of the fastest economic growth trajectories in the country.
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Replying to the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s address in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Sarma described the NDA’s emphatic mandate as a public endorsement of the government’s development-driven governance model rather than merely a political triumph.
The Chief Minister said the NDA secured 102 seats in the Assembly elections and collectively crossed the one-crore vote mark. According to him, BJP candidates alone received over 81.92 lakh votes, while alliance partners AGP and BPF contributed another 14 lakh and 8 lakh votes respectively.
Highlighting the alliance’s performance in reserved constituencies, Sarma said the NDA won all Scheduled Tribe reserved seats and tea tribe-dominated constituencies, besides securing all but one Scheduled Caste reserved seat.
Projecting strong economic growth for the state, the Chief Minister said Assam’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is expected to reach ₹8.71 lakh crore in the current financial year and expressed confidence that the state would cross the ₹10 lakh crore milestone within the next three years.
“Assam’s GSDP is projected to touch ₹8.71 lakh crore this year, and by 2028, the state is poised to become a ₹10 lakh crore economy,” Sarma told the House.
He attributed the state’s rapid economic expansion to major infrastructure projects, administrative reforms, increased investment flows and sustained support from the Centre under the Act East Policy. Sarma said sectors such as hydrocarbons, green energy, tourism and entrepreneurship were emerging as key drivers of growth.
Citing Reserve Bank of India data, the Chief Minister claimed Assam had emerged as the fastest-growing state economy in the country over the past five years. He said the state recorded nearly 45 per cent GSDP growth between FY20 and FY25, significantly higher than the national average of around 29 per cent during the same period.
“Assam has emerged as the fastest-growing state in the country, according to RBI data. We have grown at nearly 13 per cent over the last five years, and we are hopeful of achieving 15 per cent growth next year,” he said.
Sarma said the government’s economic push was now translating into employment generation, better infrastructure and greater self-reliance. He linked the state’s growth narrative to promises such as providing two lakh government jobs, supporting 10 lakh young entrepreneurs and reclaiming encroached land for productive economic use.
“In the last five years, Assam’s economy has witnessed remarkable growth. This is not merely statistical progress — it is creating opportunities for our youth, improving infrastructure and building a stronger and self-reliant Assam,” he said.
The Chief Minister also underlined the state’s improving fiscal position, saying Assam was moving towards a stage where salary and pension expenditures could be met entirely through its own tax devolution and internal revenue collections.
At the same time, Sarma cautioned that global economic uncertainties could pose challenges. Referring to rising tensions between the United States and Iran, he said any sharp increase in global crude oil prices could fuel inflation and raise the cost of living. However, he maintained that Assam’s economy remained resilient enough to absorb short-term external shocks.
During his address, the Chief Minister also defended the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that the legislation was intended to ensure social justice and provide stronger legal safeguards for women, especially those belonging to minority communities.
“We are not here merely to pursue vote-bank politics. Before doing anything for political interests, we introduced the Uniform Civil Code Bill for social justice,” Sarma said.
According to him, the proposed law would strengthen women’s rights in matters related to marriage, inheritance and social security. Rejecting allegations that the legislation targeted any specific religion or community, he said the objective was to ensure equal legal protection for all citizens.
“The UCC will provide maximum protection for women belonging to minority communities,” he said, accusing opposition parties of spreading misconceptions about the intent of the Bill.
Recalling earlier debates in the Assembly, Sarma referred to criticism from a Raijor Dal legislator and said the government remained committed to reforms centred on justice, equality and social harmony.
The Chief Minister concluded by asserting that the latest electoral mandate reflected public support for the NDA’s agenda of peace, development and protection of Assamese identity. Drawing a sharp contrast with the Opposition, he said voters had chosen continuity, stability and development-oriented governance.