Kharge Announces Five Guarantees in Assam Rally

In Naoboicha, a town in Assam's Lakhimpur district, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced five key guarantees on Sunday to rally support ahead of the state's assembly elections scheduled for April 9. The pledges, aimed at addressing women's welfare, healthcare, land rights, senior citizens' needs, and a high-profile death investigation, come as the opposition party seeks to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's dominance in the 126-seat legislature.

Kharge outlined the guarantees during a public rally, emphasizing unconditional support for vulnerable groups. The first promise includes monthly cash transfers directly to women's bank accounts, coupled with an additional Rs 50,000 assistance for those looking to start or expand businesses. "Our transfer will be unconditional. It will not be like what the BJP government is doing, where women are asked to be members of their party," Kharge said, contrasting it with the incumbent administration's schemes, such as the Orunodoi program providing Rs 1,250 monthly to economically weaker women and seed capital for self-help groups.

The second guarantee offers Rs 25 lakh in cashless health coverage for every family, a...