Tinsukia, March 31 Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday sought public support for the BJP's third consecutive term in Assam, highlighting the infrastructure development undertaken by the state government.
Addressing election rallies for party candidates Suren Phukan in Digboi and Sanjoy Kishan in Makum, Sonowal contrasted the progress made under the current dispensation with what he described as "corruption and mismanagement" during the previous Congress regime.
He said the scale of public participation in the rallies indicated strong support for the BJP-led NDA.
"The response reflects continued trust and confidence in the NDA's governance and indicates that the alliance is firmly on course to secure a third consecutive mandate," said Sonowal, a former Assam chief minister and the local MP.
He cited expansion of roads, bridges, healthcare, education, electricity, and drinking water infrastructure, along with the implementation of central schemes, as key indicators of development over the past decade.
Sonowal said coordination between the Centre and the Assam government had helped accelerate development across the state.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership had helped Assam gain greater global visibility while strengthening its cultural identity.
Targeting the Congress, Sonowal alleged that corruption and administrative inefficiencies had affected welfare delivery during earlier regimes.
He claimed that benefits meant for the poor often failed to reach intended beneficiaries in the past.
In contrast, he said, welfare initiatives such as free foodgrain distribution have expanded coverage under the present government, while targeted schemes have contributed to women's economic empowerment.
Sonowal also said the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system had helped eliminate middlemen and ensured transparent delivery of benefits.
During his visit to Digboi, he also referred to increased production at the oil refinery, describing it as an achievement of the BJP-led government.
Elections to the 126-member assembly will be held on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.