Kamalpur/Mangaldai (Assam), April 3 BJP leader Nitin Nabin on Friday alleged that the Congress had worked for "illegal immigrants" and urged voters to remember their tenure while casting their votes in the Assam Assembly elections.
Addressing rallies in Kamalpur and Mangaldai, he expressed confidence that the BJP-led NDA would return to power for a third consecutive term under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
"The Congress government had opened the doors for illegal immigrants and gave our lands to them for vote bank politics. During their tenure, women and land were not safe," Nabin said.
The BJP government, chosen by the people of Assam, showed the way out for illegal immigrants and began a series of development works, he claimed.
"The last 10 years were a period of development in Assam. When you go to vote, you must remember this phase," the BJP chief said.
Nabin said that he has been visiting Assam since 2009-10 for various party work and had travelled extensively across the state.
"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," he claimed.
Polling for the 126-member Assembly will be held on April 9, while the results will be declared on May 4.
Nabin said that during BJP rule, a lot of job opportunities have been created in Assam.
"The Congress did not do anything for the tea garden communities. However, the NDA started giving them land rights and distributed land pattas. Now, the BJP has promised to increase the daily wages to Rs 500," he added.
The BJP chief also criticised former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not visiting the Northeast regularly, and claimed that PM Narendra Modi has probably visited almost all districts of the region.
"We have reclaimed 1.25 lakh acres from illegal immigrants and ensured the rights of the tribals," he added.
Nabin 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.
"Rahul Gandhi is a part-time politician. He is seen only during elections. And after election, he goes to a foreign country," he added.
Nabin further asserted that the BJP government takes bold steps for the nation's security, Assam's identity, and eliminating corruption from the system.