Congress legislator Joy Prakash Das on Monday launched a pointed attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Assam government over its 2026-27 Budget, alleging it had sidestepped the state's most urgent challenge — its recurring annual flood disaster — while prioritising urban infrastructure projects disconnected from ground realities.

Flood Crisis Left Out, Says Congress

Das argued that large swathes of Assam remain submerged every monsoon season, with multiple districts bearing the brunt of inundation year after year. He alleged that the 2026-27 Budget offered no comprehensive road map to address this recurring catastrophe.

'The double engine government of the BJP has been in power for the last one decade, yet every year floodwaters inundate vast areas of the state. People continue to suffer, but instead of addressing these challenges, the government is talking about bringing Metro rail. The Budget speaks about Metro projects while ignoring the real issues faced by the people,' Das said, speaking to reporters in Guwahati.

Missing Schemes and Unmet Promises

The Congress MLA alleged that several flagship welfare initiatives previously highlighted by the state government found no mention in the latest Budget. He specifically pointed to the absence of any allocation for Char-Chapori development — riverine and sandbar communities considered among Assam's most vulnerable populations — despite repeated government assurances.

Das also noted that Assam Darshan, once projected as a prominent public initiative, was conspicuously absent from the Budget proposals. He further alleged that Majuli, one of the world's largest river islands and a region of significant cultural importance to Assam, received no meaningful provision for development in the Budget.

Fisheries Sector Overlooked, MLA Alleges

On the fisheries front, Das claimed that while the Budget referenced ponds and water bodies, there was no concrete plan to support fish farmers or improve livelihoods for communities dependent on the sector. This comes amid long-standing demands from fishing communities in the Brahmaputra floodplains for structured government support.

'We feel that this government is surviving only on rhetoric. It continues to make big announcements, but there is little on the ground to address the actual problems of the people. This Budget offers nothing beyond lofty promises,' Das alleged.

Government's Budget Stance

The Assam government had recently tabled the 2026-27 Budget in the state Assembly, outlining major investments in infrastructure, urban transport, and welfare initiatives. The BJP administration has not yet publicly responded to the specific allegations raised by Das. Notably, Assam has faced devastating floods almost every year, with the Brahmaputra and its tributaries affecting millions of residents across the state's districts annually.

What Comes Next

The Congress's critique is expected to intensify as the Budget moves through Assembly deliberations. With flood season already under way, pressure on the state government to demonstrate concrete flood-mitigation spending is likely to grow in the coming weeks.