Story highlights

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Friday, May 22, outlined the vision of the newly elected BJP-led government for the next five years during his inaugural address in the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly, even as Opposition parties staged a walkout alleging that the government had failed to address key public concerns.

Barely minutes after the Governor began his address on the second day of the Assembly session, MLAs from the Indian National Congress and Raijor Dal entered the Well of the House, raising slogans over issues such as inflation and rising prices.

Congress legislators displayed placards and later walked out of the Assembly in protest.

The two Raijor Dal MLAs, led by Akhil Gogoi, initially remained inside the House and continued raising objections while the Governor delivered his speech. The party legislators later walked out after submitting a memorandum containing their demands.

In his address, Governor Acharya said the BJP-led NDA government’s return to power for a third consecutive term reflected public support for its governance model focused on peace, economic stability and inclusive development.

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

The Governor also appealed to citizens to exercise restraint in discretionary spending, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity.

Acharya further welcomed the government’s move to introduce the proposed Uniform Civil Code legislation during the current Assembly session, stating that the law would strengthen social harmony, justice, gender equality and contribute towards building a progressive society.