Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has wrapped up a high-energy two-day visit to Assam at a crucial time for the party. Her trip comes just days after former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Borah resigned on February 16, a development that had shaken the state unit.
Her visit has helped steady the party and boost worker morale as Assam prepares for the 2026 Assembly elections. At the same time, she sharply attacked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), positioning Congress as a serious challenger in the state.
Priyanka began her visit on Thursday by offering prayers at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. The temple visit drew wide media attention. A video from the temple went viral, showing a sadhu blessing her and saying, “Hamara beti pradhan mantri banega” (Our daughter will become Prime Minister). The moment added symbolic weight to her visit.
As chairperson of the Congress screening committee for Assam, she led the candidate selection process. Senior leaders described the exercise as “unprecedented and systematic.” Her direct involvement shows that the party is serious about regaining power in a state it has lost since 2016.
One major highlight of the visit was the release of a 20-point “People’s Chargesheet” against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government. The document was prepared under the guidance of Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi. It accuses the BJP government of promoting “syndicate raj,” corruption, and giving indigenous land to corporate groups.
Priyanka also attacked the government over women’s safety, unemployment and rising crime. She said the BJP depends on “financial handouts to distract voters” instead of real empowerment. Addressing party workers in Guwahati, she asked Assam’s youth to demand a clear five-year roadmap from the government and stressed the need for accountability.
For the state Congress unit, the visit has come at the right time. After Borah’s resignation, there were fears of division within the party. Priyanka downplayed the setback, saying, “We have many strong warriors.”
She held long meetings at Rajiv Bhawan, speaking with grassroots leaders till 3 AM and resuming discussions at 10 AM the next day. Her direct interaction with block-level workers made them feel heard and included. One Congress leader said her listening approach has re-energised workers and helped rebuild unity from the ground up.
Politically, her visit may also open doors for alliances. The United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), a former BJP ally, has shown willingness to join a Congress-led anti-BJP front. This could impact electoral equations in the Bodoland region.
Priyanka also repeated Congress’s five guarantees: no implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), five lakh government jobs, Rs 2,000 monthly assistance for homemakers, 200 units of free electricity, and Rs 365 daily wages for tea garden workers. These promises were first made during the 2021 Assam campaign and aim to attract tea tribes, minorities and unemployed youth.
The BJP dismissed her visit. Union Minister Pabitra Margherita called her a “political tourist” and highlighted BJP achievements such as the Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor facility and rhino conservation in Kaziranga. However, AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam welcomed her visit and urged central Congress leaders to engage more in Assam.
The visit is a prestige battle for Congress. With more trips planned, Priyanka Gandhi appears set to intensify the campaign. Her visit has helped the party turn a moment of crisis into renewed energy as Assam heads toward the 2026 elections.
