Dibrugarh/Jorhat, March 31 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed on Tuesday that India's neighbors had sought to "disrupt" Assam by taking advantage of the unrest here earlier, but their "efforts were unsuccessful" as the Narendra Modi government brought peace to the region.
Militancy has ended, and 92 per cent of the promises made in the peace agreements with various groups have already been implemented, he said at a campaign 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 "favoritism" towards them, while Modi has prioritized the region for 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 eventually break Assam. But Modi Ji thwarted their plans, and Assam is now progressing rapidly."
Crediting the BJP government with bringing militant groups into the mainstream, the Maharashtra chief minister said not only were peace accords signed with them, but 92 per cent of the promises made to them have been fulfilled.
"Work is also underway to implement the remaining eight per cent of promises," he added.
Highlighting various welfare measures of the state government, Fadnavis said special emphasis was 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' (Women's Rule) in 2029, when 33 per cent reservations are implemented in Parliament and state Assemblies," he added.
The BJP leader said tea garden workers, who have been working in Assam for the past 200 years, were finally given the right to land by this government, which has also ensured various other developmental measures for them.
Accusing the Congress of not working to stop infiltrators, as they viewed them as "vote banks", he said, "The indigenous population was dwindling, and their livelihoods were being threatened."
However, with the BJP in power, the indigenous people are getting what they deserve, Fadnavis 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 significant demographic shift."
"The situation changed when Modi came to power (at the Centre). 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 demography would have been different and Assam's history would have been rewritten under the Congress rule.
"The Modi government works not just for development, but also protects the state's identity, culture, history, and tradition," he said.
The Maharashtra chief minister told the gathering that the BJP-led government in Assam has ensured massive infrastructure development for the state.
Mentioning the Tata Group's semiconductor unit at Jagiroad, Fadnavis said, "This is a project for Assam. It will place the state on the global map."
He also emphasized that Modi has visited the state 35 times since assuming office, which he claimed was more than all the visits of all the Congress prime ministers, including Manmohan Singh, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Assam.
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 few nations.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Fadnavis alleged that it had always adopted a "favoritism" 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 that it was trying to create discontent among the people by raising false doubts over the availability of LPG and fuel.
"We were also in the opposition, but we 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 Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.