Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of planning to introduce a law to protect infiltrators in Assam if it returns to power, asserting that the BJP and its allies would oppose any such move. Addressing a large campaign rally in Gogamukh in Dhemaji district, Modi alleged that the opposition party was pursuing policies aimed at creating a permanent vote bank by encouraging illegal infiltration and altering the demographic balance of the state.
The rally marked Modi’s first public meeting in Assam after the announcement of the Assembly election schedule. Polling for all 126 constituencies will take place in a single phase on April 9, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
Modi steps up criticism of Congress
In a strongly worded address, the Prime Minister claimed that Congress leaders had openly spoken about bringing a new law in Assam that would shield infiltrators. According to him, such a move would effectively convert the majority community into a minority while consolidating political support for the party.
Modi said that before the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014, the Congress had attempted to introduce a similar proposal at the national level, which the National Democratic Alliance had opposed.
He also accused the Congress of engaging in divisive politics and compared its approach to that of the Muslim League during the time of Partition. The Prime Minister further alleged that the party had undermined the constitutional vision drafted by B R Ambedkar.
Taking aim at the party’s leadership, Modi said the Congress revolved around two families, one based in Delhi and another in Assam, an apparent reference to the Gandhi family and Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi. In a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi, he described him as the party’s “self-proclaimed prince” and predicted that a long series of electoral defeats awaited the Congress.
BJP highlights decade of governance
Alongside his political attack, Modi highlighted what he described as the achievements of the BJP-led government in Assam over the past ten years. He said the state had entered a new phase of service and good governance under the leadership of former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and current Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
According to the Prime Minister, the upcoming election was crucial for building a developed Assam as part of a developed India. He pointed to infrastructure development as evidence of the BJP’s governance record.
Referring to connectivity projects, Modi said the Congress had built only three bridges over the Brahmaputra river in roughly six decades, whereas the BJP had constructed five bridges in the past ten years. These projects, he said, had made travel easier and improved the livelihoods of people living on both sides of the river.
He argued that Assam had never lacked resources but had suffered due to political divisions in the past, which prevented communities on the two banks of the Brahmaputra from benefiting equally from development.
Welfare expansion and economic assurances
The Prime Minister also outlined welfare measures promised in the BJP’s election manifesto. He said more than 22 lakh poor families in Assam had already received permanent homes during the BJP’s tenure and assured that 15 lakh additional households would be provided pucca houses in the coming years.
Modi announced that children from economically weaker families would receive free education from kindergarten to postgraduate level. Highlighting women-focused programmes, he said more than three lakh women in Assam had already become lakhpatis through government initiatives and that the BJP now aimed to increase that number to 40 lakh.
On agriculture, he said about 20 lakh farmers in the state had received financial assistance amounting to Rs 7,500 crore so far, adding that the government planned to increase annual support for small farmers to Rs 11,000 or more.
Identity protection and flood control plans
Looking ahead, Modi said the BJP would implement the Uniform Civil Code in Assam if it returned to power and would continue safeguarding tribal communities under the Sixth Schedule to protect the state’s identity and cultural heritage.
Addressing the state’s recurring flood problem, the Prime Minister said the Subansiri hydroelectric project would play a key role in protecting Assam from floods. He added that the BJP’s manifesto includes projects worth around Rs 1,800 crore aimed at reducing the impact of flooding across the state.
Calling on voters to support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, Modi expressed confidence that the alliance would secure a third consecutive term in Assam. He urged people to vote for the party and said its leadership would ensure the state’s continued progress in the coming years.
“The BJP will achieve a hat-trick in Assam with the blessings of the people, while the Congress is heading towards a century of defeats,” the Prime Minister said.