Dibrugarh/Jorhat, March 31 On Tuesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed that India's neighboring countries had attempted to "disrupt" Assam by taking advantage of the unrest in the region earlier, but their "efforts were thwarted" as the Narendra Modi government brought peace to the area.
Militancy has ended, and 92 per cent of the commitments made in the peace agreements with various groups have already been implemented, he said at a rally.
Fadnavis maintained that the BJP-led government in Assam has not only ensured the state's development but also protected its identity.
He accused the Congress of neglecting the state and the northeastern region by adopting a "biased" approach, while Modi has placed the region at the center of development.
Addressing a rally in support of BJP's Dibrugarh candidate Prasanta Phukan, Fadnavis said, "Due to the unrest in the state earlier, neighboring countries thought they would one day break Assam. But Modi ji thwarted their plans, and Assam is now progressing rapidly."
Crediting the BJP government for bringing the militant groups into the mainstream, the Maharashtra chief minister said that not only were peace agreements signed with them, but 92 per cent of the commitments have been implemented.
"Work is also underway to implement the remaining 8 per cent of promises," he added.
Highlighting the various welfare measures of the state government, Fadnavis said that special emphasis is being given on women's empowerment, in line with the Centre's focus on it.
"Women have benefited the most under Modiji's government. We will have 'Mahila Raj' in 2029 when 33 per cent reservation is implemented in Parliament and state Assemblies," he added.
Speaking at another rally in support of the BJP's Jorhat candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami, the Maharashtra chief minister alleged that infiltration was at its peak in Assam under Congress governments.
"People had to launch a movement against it, and many were martyred. But the influx did not stop, and the state was in turmoil. It was facing a major demographic change."
"But the situation changed when Modi came to power. Infiltration has been stopped, and almost all militant groups in the state are returning to the mainstream," he claimed.
Fadnavis claimed that the state's demographics would have been different and Assam's history would have been rewritten under the Congress rule.
"But the Modi government works not just for development, but also protects the state's identity, culture, history, and traditions," he said.
He told the gathering that the BJP-led government has ensured massive infrastructure development for the state.
Mentioning the Tata Group's semiconductor unit at Jagiroad, Fadnavis said, "It is a gift of Modi ji to Assam. It will place the state on the global map."
He added that countries with the ability to manufacture semiconductors will be global leaders in the future, and India has joined the elite ranks of a handful of nations.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Fadnavis alleged that it had always adopted a "biased" approach towards the northeast, due to which the region did not see much development and was embroiled in unrest.
He also criticised the opposition party for its "anti-national" stance during the West Asia crisis, claiming it was trying to create discontentment among the people by raising false doubts over the availability of LPG and fuel.
"We had also been in the opposition, but we had never acted in such a shameful manner," he said.
Taking a dig at state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, who is also the opposition party's candidate in Jorhat, Fadnavis said, "Those in Lok Sabha should remain there. The BJP will return to power, and he will have no work here."
Gogoi is also the opposition party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.