BJP focussed on Assam’s prosperity, self-reliance, global recognition: Modi

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is focused on Assam’s prosperity, independence, and international recognition after delivering peace and unity to the state, rescuing it from hardship and instability, and preserving its identity, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

“The 10 years of BJP rule in Assam were to bring peace and harmony, take the state out of difficulties and insecurity, and safeguard the state’s identity. The coming years will bring in more prosperity, self-reliance, and make the state recognised across the world,” Modi said at the first of his three meetings for the day in Assam’s Barpeta ahead of the April 9 assembly polls.

During this month’s extraordinary session of parliament, Modi asked political parties to support the amendment bill that would expedite the implementation of a 33% women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assembly. He claimed that certain individuals are attempting to disseminate false information regarding the legislation. “All states will benefit from the legislation. I request women in Assam to urge all political parties and leaders to pass this bill unanimously,” he said.

He attacked the Congress, saying it gave the dues meant for farmers to middlemen. “Our government transfers the same directly to their bank accounts. Through the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, farmers in Assam have received over ₹7500 crore. When rates of urea reached ₹3,000 per sack across the world, we provided the same to our farmers at a highly subsidised rate of ₹300,” said Modi.

According to Modi, during the Congress era, the minimum support price (MSP) for rice was ₹1,300 per quintal. The BJP government raised it to ₹2,370, he continued. According to Modi, farmers in India received ₹4 lakh crore as MSP between 2004 and 2014 when the Congress was in power at the federal level. Between 2014 and 2024, he said, the amount rose to ₹16 lakh crore.

Modi accused the Congress of being unjust to tribals. “Areas where tribals reside used to be the poorest in the country and ravaged by bombs and violence. In the northeast, every year, around 1,000 people used to be killed in such violence. Our government has focussed on prosperity and permanent peace in tribal areas.”

Modi referred to peace deals signed with rebel groups over the past 10-12 years and said around 10,000 laid down arms and peace returned to most parts of the region. “Peace and prosperity came to Assam after decades, and therefore it is important to keep the Congress away,” he said.

Modi accused Congress of promoting the agenda of the enemy during strikes against Pakistan. “During Operation Sindoor [in retaliation to the 2025 Pahalgam attack], our defence forces brought Pakistan to its knees within hours, but Congress sang the song Pakistan wrote,” he said, accusing the party of misleading defence personnel for years on the issue of One Rank, One Pension.

Modi accused Congress of encouraging undocumented immigrants to enter Assam and settling them. He referred to the BJP government’s campaign to evict such “encroachers” and give land rights to indigenous people and those from the tea-tribe community. “You need to be very careful. The Congress is openly supporting these illegal immigrants. The party wants to bring legislation where even calling someone an infiltrator will land you in prison. That is why the vote you give to the BJP will give security to Assam and protect the state’s identity,” he said.