Tezpur/Dergaon (Assam), March 31 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday criticised the Congress at a poll rally in Assam, accusing it of having "misused" the talent and capabilities of the state's youth and urging people to never forgive the party.
Alleging that the Congress was only concerned about Bangladeshi infiltrators, he claimed that the grand old party had treated Assam "unfairly" during its rule.
Addressing two election rallies in support of NDA candidates in Tezpur and Dergaon, the senior BJP leader said, "The Congress has always exploited the Assamese youth, their talent and capabilities. They should not be forgiven."
Claiming that Karnataka's IT Minister Priyank Kharge had opposed Assam's industrialisation, he said it was an "insult" to the northeastern state's youth, and demanded an apology from the Congress.
"The only concern of the Congress is Bangladeshi infiltrators for its vote bank. Politics should not be done only for government formation; politics should be done for nation-building," Singh said.
He claimed that due to illegal immigration from Bangladesh, the population balance in a few districts of Assam has been distorted.
"Under the BJP's rule, no illegal immigrant can stay in Assam. The state has welcomed its guests, but this has been misunderstood," Singh said.
Because of infiltrators, there has been a threat to Assam's culture, identity and pride as the Congress "crossed all limits" for its vote bank politics, he alleged.
"The Congress always meted out step-motherly treatment towards Assam and neglected it. During the Congress' rule, Delhi kept Assam at a distance... Since Independence, the Congress has discriminated against Assam and abused its rights," Singh alleged.
During Congress rule, extremism, insurgency, blasts, killings, kidnappings, poverty and starvation dominated news in Assam, and even festivals were observed in an atmosphere of fear, he claimed.
"But the situation changed after the BJP came to power. Assam is now at the centre of development, and it is the northeast's development engine. India's development gains pace if Assam progresses... Now, everyone talks about the region's connectivity and prosperity with pride," Singh added.
He claimed that more than 7,500 extremists have laid down their arms in Assam to join the mainstream under the BJP's rule.
"The BJP eliminated corruption and did justice to tea garden workers by giving land rights... Nobody can stop NDA from getting two-thirds majority in Assam... After losing the Assam elections, Congress will blame the EVM."
"Assam is going to be Congress-free. Like in the Centre, Assam will also witness a third consecutive BJP-led government," the defence minister said.
He said the Congress used to call border villages 'last village of India', while the BJP has termed those the country's first villages with a focus on development, showing a difference in the outlook.
"Earlier, India was not taken seriously on the global stage, but now everyone listens when India speaks. Only the BJP can keep India's head high," Singh asserted.
Singh further said, "Congress never understood Assam's culture and civilisation. They ignored the northeast's sentiment for a long time. On the other hand, the BJP has always protected the culture and identity of Assam, and has not betrayed the state in the last 10 years."
He said that Assam's economy saw a three-fold jump in the last decade and aims to become a USD 150 billion economy by 2030.
"The Congress could not understand how Assam is progressing. The reason for the state's progress is the BJP's intention and policy, neither of which the Congress possesses. Industry and investment are on the rise, while infrastructure is getting developed at a fast pace," Singh said.
Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly will be held on April 9, while the results will be declared on May 4.
The outgoing Assam Assembly has 64 BJP MLAs, while its allies AGP has nine legislators, 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 in the House.