Guv delivers customary speech amid oppn walk-out over inflation

Guwahati: Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Friday delivered his customary address to the assembly amid a walkout by the opposition, alleging failure of the dispensation to address core issues affecting people.


Within five minutes of the governor beginning his address on the second day of the session, Congress and Raijor Dal MLAs entered the Well of the House, urging the govt to focus on issues like inflation, instead of highlighting achievements. Congress members held up placards, raised slogans, and eventually staged a walkout in protest.


In contrast, Raijor Dal’s two MLAs, led by Akhil Gogoi, initially stayed in the House and continued speaking even as the governor delivered his address. About 40 minutes later, they too staged a walkout after submitting a document outlining their concerns.


In his speech, Acharya said the unprecedented voter turnout of 85.96% and the clear and resounding mandate in favour of the NDA stand testimony to the faith of the people in democratic governance. NDA secured 102 of the 126 seats.


“This mandate reflects the people’s endorsement of peace, economic stability and inclusive development pursued over the past ten years. The achievements in restoring peace have been substantial and historic,” he said.


Talking about the peace accords and settlement agreements signed with various insurgent outfits over the last few years, Acharya appealed to the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (Ulfa-I), the only major group outside the peace process, to join the mainstream.


He appealed to the people to exercise restraint in discretionary spending and avoidable expenditure in line with the PM’s appeal for austerity, and added, “collective responsibility and prudent economic conduct will strengthen the nation during the challenging period.”


Acharya welcomed the govt’s decision to introduce the proposed law regarding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during the current session, maintaining that it will strengthen social harmony, justice, gender equality and a modern progressive society.


He said the UCC will be enacted and implemented in a manner that “protects the traditional rights, customary practices and social institutions of tribal and indigenous communities.”


Acharya stressed the govt’s continued commitment towards “rebuilding and strengthening the greater Assamese society founded on harmony, equality and shared civilisational values”.


On the financial aspect, the governor said the state’s GSDP has grown by an annual compounded rate of nearly 16%, and Assam was steadily progressing towards becoming a Rs 10lakh-crore economy by 2028-29.


Per capita income at current prices has more than doubled over the last few years, and capital expenditure has increased from Rs 13,502 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 26,531 crore in 2025-26.


Despite this substantial increase in investment, the state has maintained its debt-to-GSDP ratio below 25%, the Governor added.