'People will make the BJP manifesto'

Assam Nirman initiative launched to engage with all stakeholders of civil society: Sonowal

BY Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Dec 26: Seeking to infuse an element of novelty, the BJP has said it will not bring out a manifesto for the assembly elections, but will instead come up with a 'vision document' through a multiple dialogue process with all stakeholders ahead of the polls.

Announcing this, State BJP president Sarbanda Sonowal said 'Assam Nirman' is an endeavor by the State party unit to engage with civil society.

"For this purpose, Assam Nirman Foundation has been launched as an NGO in order to craft a policy vision to make Assam among the top developed states of India in the next five years," he said about the objectives of the initiative.

'Assam Nirman' consists of multiple dialogue series across the length and breadth of the State to define, discuss, debate and deliberate upon key issues of socio-economic and political concerns. By bringing multiple voices and stakeholders ranging from subject matter experts, grassroots innovators, policy veterans, legislators, bureaucrats, educationists, opinion makers, social activists and common citizens under a common umbrella of participative dialogue, the initiative aims to involve Assamese citizens in handcrafting Assam's future.

Feedbacks will be taken from the stakeholders through meetings and social networking sites, besides a dedicated website created for the purpose.

"The top leadership from the Central government, BJP state leaders, BJP Members of Parliament from Assam will listen to the intellectuals and innovators of the State," Sonowal said.

He said local BJP leaders will also launch a door to door campaign to get maximum feedbacks.

"We will not only frame our goals, but also outline how to achieve it. We will give a proper roadmap in the vision document," he said.

The party has also formed a committee to chalk out the vision document. It is headed by MP Kabindra Purukayastha.