Koch-Rajbongshi Community Seeks Representation in Assam Cabinet
Demand for Inclusion in New Cabinet
Press conference addressed by the All Assam Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilani in Dhubri on Saturday (Photo: AT)
Dhubri, May 9: As the formation of the new cabinet in Assam approaches, the Dhubri district committee of the All Assam Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilani has called for proper representation of their community in the upcoming ministry. They are advocating for the inclusion of at least two MLAs from their community as Cabinet ministers.
During a press conference held in Gauripur on Saturday, the organization's leaders emphasized that the cabinet's composition should accurately reflect the political representation of significant indigenous communities in Assam, particularly the Koch-Rajbongshi.
They highlighted that approximately 10 legislators from the Koch-Rajbongshi community were elected in the recent Assembly elections under the BJP-led NDA alliance, representing various parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF).
“With the conclusion of the 2026 Assembly elections, the BJP-led NDA alliance has achieved a remarkable victory in Assam. We congratulate the alliance. Our demand is that at least two of the 10 MLAs from the Koch-Rajbongshi community should be appointed as Cabinet ministers,” stated a senior member of the Dhubri district committee.
The leaders of the Sanmilani expressed concern over the historical underrepresentation of the Koch-Rajbongshi community in ministerial roles, despite their significant socio-political contributions and electoral impact.
They elaborated on their demand, claiming that the community has faced a lack of adequate political representation for many years.
“From 1957 to 2026, there have been 18 tribal ministerial positions in the Assam Legislative Assembly. However, in the last Assembly, not a single Koch-Rajbongshi candidate who won was appointed as a Cabinet minister,” they asserted.
The organization has directly appealed to the BJP leadership, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, AGP president Atul Bora, and BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary, urging them to take their demand into serious consideration while forming the new ministry.
The Koch-Rajbongshi community is one of six indigenous groups in Assam seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, alongside the Tai Ahom, Chutia, Matak, Moran, and Tea Tribes communities.
The proposal for granting ST status to these six communities is currently under review by the central government, following a recommendation from the Assam government made in January.
“The proposal for the inclusion of Tai Ahom, Chutia, Matak, Moran, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes has been received from the State government of Assam,” Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey informed the Lok Sabha on January 30.