Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally in Karimganj on Thursday. – UB Photos
Sonowal govt hailed for work done in Barak valley
Staff Correspondent
SILCHAR, March 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a jibe at the Congress party calling it leaderless and lacking the principles and intentions needed for leading a state.
Addressing a public meeting at Bhatgram in North Karimganj, Modi said, “I am baffled to witness the condition of Congress party. While they are going with the Left parties in West Bengal and echoing Lal Salam, they oppose Left parties in Kerala.”
In Assam, the Congress has joined hands with the AIUDF and “reaching out to the people with their lock and key (poll symbol),” he said, adding, “this clearly shows the party neither has neta nor neeti or neeyat as well for governance.”
Even as there were no mentions of his promises made in the previous elections, Modi termed Barak valley as the gateway to the BJP-led double engine government in the State and at the Centre.
“The BJP government is working to transform Northeast India. I am happy to start the first political meeting for the Assembly elections amid such a sea of people here in Barak valley which is not just Assam’s gateway but also the gateway to the double-engine government.”
The Prime Minister hailed the Assam government led by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for the work done to provide facilities to the people of Barak valley by setting up the Mini Secretariat in Silchar.
“The State government has done phenomenal work with the setting up of Mini Secretariat in Barak valley which would lessen the woes of the people for administrative works,” he said.
“This shows the intent of the government unlike in the Congress regime in which the office of the Divisional Commissioner was administered from Guwahati,” Modi added.
Beginning his speech in Bengali with wishes on Holi and Bengali New Year, and saluting great personalities of Barak valley, including the likes of Cachar Kesari Sanat Das, Arun Kumar Chanda, Sambhudhan Phonglo, Indu Prabha Devi and Dwarkanath Tiwari, he hailed the valiant commander of the Ahom kingdom Lachit Borphukan for his sacrifice and services.
Modi urged the masses to take back the message of inclusive development and encourage every individual to vote the BJP to power as he reminded that this election is an opportunity for the people to elect a government that would boost local art, culture and heritage.
However, even as he spoke about ‘Aatmanirbhar Assam’, there was no mention about whether the government was considering reviving the two closed paper mills under Hindustan Paper Corporation at Panchgram and Jagiroad. He also did not speak anything on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.
State minister and NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma, Silchar MP Rajdeep Roy, Karimganj MP Kripanath Mallah along with the candidates from the BJP and the AGP contesting in the 15 seats of southern Assam attended the meeting.
