Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp political offensive against the Congress party on Sunday, accusing it of engaging in "anti-national activities" by allegedly facilitating the settlement of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Assam. Addressing a massive public rally in Dibrugarh, the Prime Minister framed the upcoming electoral battle as a choice between national security and vote bank politics.
A Scathing Attack on Congress' Record
In his address, Modi claimed the Congress party's primary concern was its vote bank, not the lives and security of Indian citizens. He alleged that Congress wants to shelter illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators in Assam's land and forests, a move he termed as promoting "anti-national thinking." The Prime Minister linked this to the opposition's resistance to the sanitisation of voter lists, suggesting it was to protect these infiltrators for electoral gains.
"Even if people's lives are destroyed, Congress does not care," Modi stated, emphasising that the BJP government prioritises the culture and identity of Assam. He contrasted this with Congress's historical approach, citing the previous government's denial of land rights to tea garden workers, a right later granted by the BJP.
Development Promises and 'Double-Engine' Growth
Shifting to his government's vision, the Prime Minister asserted that the pace of development witnessed in Assam under the BJP is merely the beginning. He invoked the legacy of the Ahom empire, pledging to make Assam shine similarly in a developed India (Viksit Bharat). Modi credited the synergy between industry and connectivity under the BJP's 'double-engine' government for fuelling the state's progress and empowering its youth.
He highlighted specific interventions, such as opening Jan Dhan bank accounts for 7.5 lakh tea garden workers to enable direct benefit transfers. In a pointed cultural reference, Modi mentioned gifting Assamese black tea to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent visit, showcasing Assam's pride on the global stage.
Reviving Agriculture and Industry
A significant portion of the speech focused on agricultural and industrial revival, directly blaming Congress for past neglect. Modi pointed to the Namrup fertiliser plant, which once served the entire Northeast, claiming that Congress indifference led to the shutdown of its units, causing farmer distress.
"During their tenure, many fertiliser factories were shut down, whereas our government has started several," he said, outlining efforts towards self-reliance. He detailed the subsidy burden borne by his government, noting that while a farmer pays Rs 300 for a bag of urea, the government subsidises it by paying nearly Rs 3,000 to foreign suppliers. Modi also urged responsible farming, stating, "We do not have the right to 'kill' Mother Earth by overusing urea."
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister took a personal dig at Congress for mocking the decision to confer the Bharat Ratna on Bhupen Hazarika. "Their leaders mocked the decision, saying Modi was giving the Bharat Ratna to someone who sings and dances," he said, positioning himself as a champion of Assam's heritage. "I am a 'chai wala' - if not me, then who will do this?" he remarked, connecting his humble origins to his commitment for the state's tea garden communities.
