Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a large public gathering in Namrup, Assam, on Sunday, powerfully invoked his humble origins as a 'Chaiwala' (tea seller) to underscore his government's commitment to the state's tea garden community. The rally followed the groundbreaking ceremony for a massive Rs 10,600-crore Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Plant.
Land, Dignity, and a Sharp Political Attack
Launching a direct assault on the opposition Congress party, PM Modi declared, "If I don't work for tea workers, who will?" He accused the Congress of systematically denying land rights and basic dignity to tea garden workers for decades throughout its tenure. In contrast, he asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government had ensured both land ownership and respect for the community.
Modi highlighted concrete steps taken for financial inclusion, revealing that 7.5 lakh bank accounts had been opened for Assam's tea garden labourers under the Jan Dhan Yojana. "By being connected to the banking system, these workers now benefit from direct transfer of money into their accounts," the Prime Minister said. He also listed ongoing efforts to expand schools, roads, electricity, water supply, and hospitals in tea garden areas.
Assam's Pride and Allegations of Vote-Bank Politics
In a moment highlighting regional pride, Modi mentioned that during Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Delhi, he had gifted Assam's famous black tea. "I presented Assam's black tea to President Putin with great pride. Every effort that enhances Assam's dignity is given priority by our government," he stated.
Sharpening his critique, the Prime Minister accused the Congress of attempting to settle illegal Bangladeshi immigrants on Assam's land and forests to consolidate its vote bank. He alleged that the party was opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise aimed at cleansing the state's electoral rolls. "The opposition has no concern for Assam, its people, or their identity, and is only interested in power and government," Modi charged.
Accusations of Obstructionism and a Vision for the East
Modi further accused the Congress of promoting "anti-national thinking" through its alleged policies and cited its opposition to conferring the Bharat Ratna on legendary Assamese musician Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and to establishing a semiconductor unit in the state. "Whenever we undertake work that enhances Assam's dignity, it causes the greatest discomfort to Congress," he said.
The Prime Minister emphasised the need to safeguard Assam from what he termed "the poison of appeasement and vote-bank politics." He assured the crowd that the BJP stands "like a shield to protect Assam's identity and honour."
Looking at the broader regional development, Modi positioned Assam and the northeast as central to India's future, stating, "Eastern India will become the growth engine of the nation's development." The speech, blending welfare announcements with strong political rhetoric, set the tone for the ongoing political discourse in the state.
