Cong responsible for making Assam a hub of infiltration: Amit Shah in North Lakhimpur

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 9, 2024

Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday emphasized BJP’s achievements in Assam and the Northeast under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and criticized Congress for past injustices in the region and contrasted them with BJP’s initiatives, from regional development to national security. 

Addressing an election meeting in North Lakhimpur to campaign for party candidate Pradan Baruah, Shah urged Assam and Northeast’s decisive electoral victory for the BJP-led NDA alliance in the upcoming elections.

Shah conveyed that on April 19, the public will decide their Member of Parliament, the governing party, and the Prime Minister for the next five years. 

“People have two options, one is the INDI Alliance under the leadership of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and the other is the BJP-led NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Shah said and appealed to the people that voting is required to re-elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of the country for the third time and to ensure that the BJP forms a government with more than 400 seats. 

Shah commented on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s statement about preserving Assam’s culture by questioning what the Congress has done for Assam till now. Shah highlighted the injustices committed by the Congress against Assam since the era of Indira Gandhi. 

Shah pointed out that during the Congress administration, thousands of youths lost their lives amid unrest in Assam. “The BJP government led by PM Narendra Modi has achieved peace in Assam through over ten peace agreements, leading to the surrender of nine thousand youths from the region. Modi-led BJP government has conferred the Bharat Ratna upon Bhupen Hazarika,” he said. 

Shah emphasized that under the leadership of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the BJP government in Assam has implemented various policies and initiatives to curb illegal immigration and enhance border security. “The Congress party failed to address issues such as insurgency, strikes, and terrorism in Assam and also didn’t fulfil promises made to the youth. In contrast, the BJP fulfilled all commitments made to Bodoland within two years by reaching an agreement. During the Congress government, rhinoceros poaching was prevalent, but after the BJP came into power, they ensured the safety of rhinoceroses, thereby bolstering Assam’s tourism sector,” the Union minister said.

The Union minister mentioned that the BJP government has focused on preserving the legacies of Shankar Dev and Madhav Dev, reclaiming land belonging to these saints that were illegally occupied by immigrants, and taking measures to eliminate encroachment, especially in places like Kaziranga. 

“The BJP paid tribute to the courageous son of Assam, Lachit Borphukan, by erecting a monumental statue in his honour. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ten years in Assam have been marked by development. Several peace agreements have been forged during the BJP’s tenure, leading to significant progress,” Shah said. 

Shah expressed confidence that shortly, Assam will emerge as a developed state akin to other states across the country. 

Shah highlighted that PM Modi has not only focused on the development of Assam but has also prioritized the progress of the entire Northeast region. “The fortune of the country is linked to the prosperity of the Northeast. Developing Assam and the Northeast is crucial for the overall development of the nation. The Prime Minister has successfully removed The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from 80% of Assam, contributing to the establishment of peace in the region,” he said. 

The Union minister pointed out the disparity in allocation between the UPA government, led by Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, and the current government under PM Modi. During the UPA’s tenure from 2004-2014, only Rs 1 lakh 62 thousand crore was allocated for Assam’s development. In contrast, PM Modi’s government allocated significantly more, totalling ₹4 lakh 15 thousand crores for the development of Assam. 

He mentioned allocations of Rs 30,000 crore for road construction, Rs 95,000 crore for railways, and Rs 10,000 crore for airport development. Additionally, numerous hospitals have been constructed to make Assam and the Northeast cancer-free. Shri Shah expressed confidence that within the next five years, Assam will become a hub for cancer treatment, eliminating the need for people to travel to Delhi for treatment. 

“The healthcare advancements in Assam, including the establishment of AIIMS in Guwahati, the construction of a medical college in Tamulpur, and a 500-bed hospital in Nalbari. Additionally, medical colleges in Dhubri and Kakojan, each costing 500 crore, are underway, while the Karimganj Medical College nears completion. PM Modi has addressed various challenges faced by the poor in Assam,” he further said. 

Shah highlighted significant achievements in Assam, including 18 lakh beneficiaries of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, 55 lakh households gaining access to tap water, 1 crore 70 lakh people benefiting from a Rs 5 lakh health cover under Ayushman Bharat, and the construction of 43 lakh toilets. Almost 2 crore 30 lakh poor individuals are receiving 5 kilos of free ration per person every month, and 51 lakh gas connections have been provided to women.

He criticized the Congress manifesto, noting its mention of reinstating Muslim personal law upon gaining power. 

Shah highlighted Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s questioning of the relevance of Kashmir, emphasizing that the entire nation considers Kashmir an integral part of India.

He also said Assam serves as the hub of the Northeast, and its development is intricately linked with that of the entire region and the nation as a whole. “PM Modi pledged in 2014 to facilitate the development of the Northeast, fulfilling a commitment to uplift the region. PM Modi holds the distinction of being the only Prime Minister to have visited the Northeast region more than 70 times, reflecting his commitment to its development. Additionally, Union ministers have collectively visited the region over 700 times, demonstrating the government’s dedication to the Northeast’s progress. 

“It is now the time for the Northeast to secure all the seats for the NDA alliance. Assam particularly aims to win 12 out of 14 seats, with a significant victory margin of over 5 lakh votes each,” he added.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP state president Bhabesh Kalita, BJP Assam Lok Sabha election in-charge Captain Abhimanyu Chaudhary, Rajya Sabha MP Bhubaneswar Kalita, Lakhimpur BJP Lok Sabha candidate Pradan Baruah were also present in the election rally.