Dhemaji (Assam), March 31 Former Union Minister Smriti Irani stated on Tuesday that the Assam Assembly elections this time were about "expelling every single infiltrator" from the country, while accusing the Congress of shielding illegal migrants and shrouding the state in "dark clouds" of militancy.
She maintained that the BJP-led government has ensured progress for the state on all fronts, with women, in particular, now leading the development narrative.
Addressing a campaign rally for the party's Sissiborgaon constituency candidate Jibon Gogoi, Irani said, "This election is not about making someone an MLA or Himanta Biswa Sarma the chief minister again. It is about expelling every single infiltrator from our country."
Mentioning the Dhemaji blast of August 15, 2004, in which 13 people, including school children, were killed, the BJP leader said, "These were innocent people who were killed. What was their fault? Such darkness engulfed the state, resulting in the loss of innocent lives."
Irani asserted that the state has now reached a stage where everyone can unfurl the National Flag without any fear, which is a credit of the current dispensation at the Centre and the state.
Accusing the Congress of shielding the infiltrators, she questioned why the grand old party and its allies in the opposition were against the revision of electoral rolls before the elections.
"Only Indians should be included in the electoral rolls. When the Election Commission wanted to revise the rolls, why did the Congress protest it? Are they trying to protect Indians or the infiltrators?" she questioned.
Irani lauded the state government for clearing over 1.65 lakh bighas of land from illegal encroachers, while criticizing the Congress for failing to take any action while in power.
Maintaining that the state has been marching on the path of development in the last 10 years, the former MP and popular actor said women are occupying a central position in this growth narrative.
"Earlier, it was said that women voted wherever their husbands asked them to; but now it is the women who tell their husbands to vote for the lotus (BJP's election symbol), and the men comply," she said.
With 33 per cent seat reservation for women on the way to being implemented, they will have even greater stakes, Irani said, adding, "This has been possible due to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
The former minister also highlighted various welfare schemes for different sections, including farmers and youth, and urged the people to ensure that the BJP-led alliance retains power in the state.
Elections to the 126-member Assam Assembly will be held on April 9. Votes will be counted on May 4.