Lumding: An internal divide has emerged within the BJP in the No. 64 Lumding Assembly Constituency. One section of party workers continues to stand firmly behind sitting MLA Shibu Misra, while another group has openly expressed dissatisfaction with his leadership (Lumding Development Crisis).
With the 2026 Assembly elections approaching, Misra is reportedly hopeful of securing a third consecutive party ticket. Yet, even after two electoral victories, criticism has intensified. Allegations from within sections of the constituency claim that no substantial development has taken place over the past ten years.
Drinking Water Crisis and Jal Jeevan Mission Failure
Among the strongest grievances is the issue of clean drinking water. In Lumding, the Jal Jeevan Mission is being described as a total failure—a “flop show.” The government’s slogan of “Har Ghar Nal, Har Ghar Jal” (Tap water for every household) remains a distant dream, as residents claim they have not received a single drop of purified water under the scheme.
Corruption Allegations Against the Municipal Board
The Lumding Municipal Board, which functions under the MLA’s supervision, is also facing allegations of irregularities.
Approximately three years ago, four borewell projects were initiated to address water shortages in Wards 10, 11, and 12. The official expenditure details are as follows:
Expenditure per project: Rs. 5,89,285
Total government approval: Rs. 23,57,140
Despite the funds having been spent three years ago, residents state that none of the projects have supplied usable water to the public. Allegations have surfaced from conscious citizens claiming that the funds were siphoned off by the Municipal Chairperson along with contractors said to be close to MLA Shibu Misra.
Condition of the Borewell Sites
The physical status of the projects has further fueled these allegations:
Ward No. 10: The water supply installation remains neglected and is now overgrown with vegetation.
Ward No. 11: One borewell was constructed inside the permanent Municipal campus.
Ward No. 11 (Private Land): Another project was installed on the private land of Ward Councillor Ranjit Das (alias Ron Das). Critics allege that this benefits the councillor personally rather than the wider public.
Ward No. 12: The fourth project reportedly requires electricity to function but is allegedly being powered by drawing electricity directly from main power lines using hooks.
Beyond water-related concerns, residents describe the town’s roads as being in a dilapidated condition. Some claim that repair works exist only in official records. The town, they add, also lacks an adequate number of dustbins for proper waste management.
Public Health and Veterinary Concerns
Despite claims of crores being spent on development, Lumding reportedly does not have a fully functional veterinary hospital. The existing facility is described as lacking medicines, water, and basic infrastructure. Residents allege that the poor condition has contributed to the deaths of domestic animals, including cattle, goats, and pet dogs.
In the human healthcare sector, a newly constructed 100-bed civil hospital has also come under scrutiny. Within a year of construction, large cracks reportedly appeared in the building’s walls. Locals allege that substandard construction materials were used, leading to financial misappropriation.
Questions Over Road Funding
Recently, Minister Pijush Hazarika stated during a party meeting that the BJP government had provided over Rs.400 crore for road construction in Lumding over the last five years. He contrasted this with the Rs. 30–40 crore spent during the Congress period.
The statement has drawn reactions from residents. They argue that if around Rs.500 crore was allocated within five years, nearly Rs.1,000 crore should have been invested over the MLA’s ten-year tenure. Citizens are now questioning how much of this amount has translated into visible development on the ground.
A Party Under Strain
Observers within the party describe the MLA’s working style as “family-centric,” alleging that it prioritizes close associates. Veteran party workers reportedly feel sidelined, leading to visible friction within the BJP’s grassroots structure in Lumding.
As the next election cycle nears, the constituency appears politically divided—between loyalty, dissatisfaction, and unanswered questions over development.