In a significant pre-election move, the Assam Pradesh Youth Congress on Saturday kicked off a statewide foot march, or 'padayatra', with a rallying cry to protect community and land. The campaign, launched from Dhemaji district, is set to cover crucial regions of Upper Assam over the next week, directly engaging with the public on simmering issues.
Campaign Launch and Key Participants
The initiative, titled "Raijor Podulit, Raijor Congress" (People's Bridge, People's Congress), was inaugurated with the participation of top national and state Youth Congress leaders. The event saw the presence of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) national in-charge Manish Sharma, IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib, IYC general secretary Mitendra Darshan Singh, and Assam Pradesh Youth Congress president Zubair Anam.
Addressing party workers, Zubair Anam emphasized the core objective of the drive. He stated that the padayatra is fundamentally about establishing a direct connection with the people of Assam to comprehend their anxieties concerning land rights and indigenous identity. He highlighted these as pivotal issues that will determine the future trajectory of the state's native communities.
Route and Schedule of the Foot March
This multi-phase campaign is meticulously planned to span seven days, traversing politically significant districts in the lead-up to the impending state assembly elections. According to the official schedule released by the party, the padayatra will follow this route:
- January 4: Lakhimpur
- January 5: Majuli
- January 6: Jorhat
- January 7: Sivasagar
- January 8: Dibrugarh
- January 9: Tinsukia (Conclusion)
Core Issues and Youth Mobilization
During the campaign, Youth Congress leaders and volunteers plan to initiate direct dialogues with citizens on a spectrum of pressing concerns. The primary focus will be on land protection, safeguarding indigenous identity, rising unemployment, and the preservation of constitutional rights.
Party leaders clarified that a central aim of this outreach is to galvanize youth participation and foster constructive conversations on subjects that will shape Assam's destiny. Zubair Anam added that the initiative is as much about listening to the aspirations of the young population as it is about conveying the party's message, underscoring that their voices are crucial in the democratic process.
The launch of this padayatra coincides with a period where political parties across Assam are intensifying their grassroots outreach and public engagement strategies in preparation for the electoral battle. The Youth Congress's focused campaign on land and identity issues seeks to tap into local sentiments and present its vision directly to the electorate.
