Guwahati: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched a blistering attack on the Congress while campaigning for Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader and Assam Minister Keshab Mahanta in Nagaon, asserting that the NDA’s decade-long rule has transformed the state, unlike what he termed the “failure” of previous Congress governments.
Addressing a packed public rally in Nagaon district, Shah invoked Assam’s legacy, paying tribute to its stalwarts and revolutionaries, and urged voters to ensure a “hattrick victory” for the NDA in the April 9 Assembly polls.
He said the BJP-AGP alliance remains very strong and dismissed Congress claims of a rift as a “Mungerilal’s dream.”
Sharpening his attack, Shah accused the Congress of neglecting Assam during its tenure.
“What did Rahul Gandhi do when they were ruling? Only Rs 1.28 lakh crore?” he asked, contrasting it with what he described as substantial financial support provided by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government for infrastructure and development in the state.
He alleged that Congress had encouraged illegal migration in Assam, asserting that the NDA government stands “with the Muslims of Assam, not with illegal migrants.”
The Home Minister said the BJP-led alliance has worked to protect the identity and rights of indigenous people while ensuring inclusive development.
Highlighting achievements, Shah credited the NDA governments under former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and incumbent Himanta Biswa Sarma for ushering in what he called Assam’s “golden years.”
He pointed to improved law and order, claiming that the state is now free from “red terror,” a reference to past insurgency challenges.
Shah also underlined conservation efforts in Kaziranga National Park, stating that the NDA government played a key role in protecting the endangered one-horned rhinoceros.
He further targeted Congress for allegedly failing to honour Assam’s icons, noting that Bharat Ratna was not conferred on Gopinath Bordoloi and Bhupen Hazarika during Congress rule, but was awarded under the BJP-led government.
In a symbolic appeal to alliance unity, Shah said, “Jahan haathi hai usi ko kamal samajhiye, jahan kamal hai usi ko haathi samajhiye,” urging voters to treat the symbols of AGP (elephant) and BJP (lotus) as one.
With high-pitched campaigning underway, Shah’s remarks signal an aggressive push by the NDA to consolidate support, positioning development, nationalism, and identity politics at the centre of its electoral narrative while mounting a direct offensive against the Congress.
(IANS)
