Dibrugarh, Dec 6: The Congress party’s Assam unit has launched a statewide public outreach initiative to gather inputs for drafting a manifesto aimed at shaping an inclusive vision of ‘Bor Asom’ or greater Assam, covering all communities across the state.

Addressing a press conference in Dibrugarh, Congress Assam president Gaurav Gogoi said opposition parties had jointly decided to move beyond criticizing the government and focus on understanding public expectations. He said the initiative seeks feedback from youth, government employees, and various social groups on how they envision Assam’s future.

The outreach programme will continue through December, followed by a joint opposition convention in January to outline a collective roadmap for the state. Gogoi referred to Congress’ past record of policy-making through public engagement, citing the RTI, RTE, and MGNREGA legislations, and recalled how the Tarun Gogoi-led government in 2001 consulted citizens to address the state’s challenges.

He said the present administration was sidelining public opinion, adding that the party aims to work with people to build a more united Assam.

The initiative also includes activities under the ‘Raijor Podulit, Raijor Congress’ programme, with recent medical camps organised in tea garden areas. Lok Sabha MP and manifesto committee chair Pradyut Bordoloi said the upcoming manifesto will function as a long-term roadmap beyond the next state elections, and noted that common minimum programmes could emerge if opposition alliances are formed.