Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the BJP government’s work in Assam over the past decade and said the next phase would focus on making the state self-reliant.
In a rally in Barpeta, PM Modi said the last 10 years were aimed at restoring peace, stability and safeguarding Assam’s identity. He added that the coming years would focus on economic growth and taking the state to the global stage.
Taking aim at the Indian National Congress, PM Modi said the party lacked a long-term approach to development. He accused it of focusing on short-term gains, while presenting the Bharatiya Janata Party as a party that plans with a long-term vision.
He also reiterated his allegations against the Congress, accusing the party of supporting infiltrators in Assam and opposing action against illegal land encroachments. Addressing the rally, he claimed that the Congress was attempting to introduce laws that could treat infiltrators as “victims”, which, he said, would put the indigenous population at risk.
“The Indian National Congress is a party that never works on development with a long-term vision. Congress does short-term work so that it can indulge in corruption. On the other hand, BJP is a party that works with a long-term vision. We are taking along the goal of a developed Assam towards a developed India. That is why we have worked with full dedication over the past 10 years,” the PM said.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party is freeing such lands from every illegal encroachment. Congress is openly supporting infiltrators. Congress is opposing action against illegal encroachments. Congress wants to make such a law in Assam that if the word ‘infiltrator’ is used, one could be jailed. Congress will declare infiltrators as victims in the law itself, and the majority of indigenous people here will face the threat of imprisonment,” he added.
He further alleged that the Congress had allowed infiltrators to occupy large tracts of land linked to Barpeta’s Satras, including those associated with Vaishnavite saints such as Srimanta Sankardeva, Madhavdeva, Damodardev and Haridev.
“Barpeta is known as the land of our sacred Satras. The traditions of revered gurus like Srimanta Sankardeva, Madhavdeva, Damodardev, and Haridev are worthy of worship. This is our faith. But Congress handed over our faith to infiltrators. On thousands of bighas of land belonging to our sacred Satras, Congress allowed infiltrators to occupy it. Here, even a large portion of the land of Barpeta Satra was under illegal occupation. Congress allowed illegal encroachments on Assam’s land,” he said.
He said Assam had moved from a phase of instability to one of progress. “The last 10 years in Assam were about establishing peace and harmony. The coming years will expand Assam’s prosperity. The past 10 years were about bringing Assam out of inconvenience and insecurity; the coming time will be about Assam’s self-reliance. The last 10 years were about preserving Assam’s identity; now we have to raise Assam’s identity on the global stage,” he said.
Highlighting Assam’s cultural diversity, the Prime Minister referred to the Hudum Puja of the Bodo community and the Bathou faith of the Koch-Rajbongshi community as examples of harmony between culture, nature and faith. He alleged that the Congress had prioritised political power over the state’s interests.
“For the sake of power, the Indian National Congress can do anything, and Assam has suffered greatly because of this,” he added.
BJP foundation day, tourism and farmers in focus
PM Modi also greeted party workers on the BJP’s 47th foundation day and said the party remains committed to the idea of “Nation First”. He said the goal is to build a developed and self-reliant India and sought public support in the ongoing election.
He pointed to improved connectivity in Assam and said it had helped boost tourism across the state. Referring to key religious and cultural sites, he said places such as Manas National Park and the Kamakhya Temple continue to attract visitors.
Addressing farmers, the Prime Minister said Joha rice grown in the region would soon reach European markets, calling it a positive sign for local agriculture.
Assam will vote for its 126-member Assembly on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.