Jagiroad/Bokakhat (Assam), March 30 BJP president Nitin Nabin accused the Congress on Monday of facilitating the illegal entry of Bangladeshis into Assam when it was in power, and claimed that it was the BJP that stopped their entry after forming a government in the state.
At a rally in Jagiroad in support of NDA candidates in Morigaon district, he alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not wear the traditional Assamese scarf, 'gamocha', when it was offered to him at an event in Delhi, thereby hurting the sentiments of the state's people.
"But he regularly visits mosques and happily wears the skull cap," the BJP leader alleged.
Nabin accused the Congress of supporting infiltrators in Assam.
"They allowed Bangladeshi infiltrators to enter the country through the 'Chicken's Neck' (Siliguri corridor). It is the state's BJP government which is reversing the trend and showing the exit path to illegal immigrants," he said.
The 'Chicken's Neck', officially known as the Siliguri Corridor, is a narrow stretch of land, about 20-22 km wide and nearly 60 km long, in north Bengal that connects the rest of India with its northeastern states. It is considered a critical and sensitive lifeline from both security and strategic perspectives.
Nabin also asserted that Assam witnessed massive development in the 10 years of the BJP rule.
"People must remember the situation before that. Extremism, violence, investors fleeing and broken dreams of the youth dominated the discourse. We must ensure that such times do not return," the BJP leader said.
Asserting that the BJP-led NDA will return to power in the state with a huge mandate, Nabin said the incumbent Assam government does not do appeasement politics like the opposition.
"Our fight is to protect the rights of the Assamese people. We have worked towards safeguarding the land rights and houses of the indigenous people," he added.
The BJP chief said that his party's government has taken bold steps to ensure the nation's security, protect Assam's identity and eliminate corruption.
Recalling his extensive travels in the state since 2009-10 for various party works, Nabin said, "At that time, there was no talk of development at all. There were tensions when I wanted to travel from one location to another. People used to discuss only violence and agitation."
The situation changed entirely after the BJP-led NDA came to power in 2016, and the entire nation started talking about Assam's development, the BJP chief asserted.
Nabin alleged that the Congress leadership was "compromised" as they had "abandoned" Assam and Arunachal Pradesh during the 1962 India-China war.
"When we were attacked by terrorists, the Manmohan Singh government used to remain a mute spectator. But our BJP government has given a befitting reply through Operation Sindoor," he said.
Without naming anybody, Nabin alleged that a Congress leader, whose children are citizens of a foreign nation, cannot work to better Assam's education system.
Nabin was scheduled to address an election rally at Bokakhat in Golaghat district in support of the BJP's alliance partner and AGP chief Atul Bora. But his inclement weather prevented his helicopter from flying, forcing him to address the gathering over the telephone.
The ruling BJP's strength in the outgoing Assam Assembly is 64, while its allies AGP has nine MLAs, UPPL has seven, and BPF has three members.
In the opposition camp, the Congress has 26 MLAs, AIUDF has 15 members, and CPI(M) has one MLA. There is one Independent legislator also.
Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly will be held on April 9, while the results will be declared on May 4.