Digboi has witnessed rapid development during BJP rule: Sarbananda Sonowal during poll campaign in the historic oil city

Our Correspondent

DIGBOI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal blew the poll bugle in the historic oil city of Digboi at Borbil No.3 in Tinsukia district while Himanta Biswa Sarma campaigned at Ledu in favour of BJP candidate Rameswar Teli who is contesting from the 13-Dibrugarh HPC. “The 1,35,000 voters of Digboi had never witnessed such rapid development during the Congress rule in Assam as has been accomplished within three years of the BJP government in Assam,” said Sonowal while addressing a mammoth gathering at Borbil No. 3 in Digboi on Thursday.

Taking a dig at the Congress government, Sonowal went to the extent of alleging corruption and misappropriation of public money meant for various public utility schemes and other developmental projects in Assam. According to him, crores of public money meant for 3 lakh IAY houses and midday meals for around 9 lakh students in Assam were siphoned off by the Congress during its tenure. According to him, around 15 lakh PDS beneficiaries were deprived during the Congress rule as the funds were pocketed by Congress ministers.

Sonowal lauded the untiring efforts of local BJP MLA Suren Phukan for perusing the enhancement of the refining capacity of Digboi Oil Refinery and blamed the Congress of being indifferent towards the vital issues of Digboi. “The BJP government in its five years has built a huge networks of roads which the Congress could not in its 70 long years of rule,” said Sonowal while wooing the voters with various socio-economic schemes and projects.

Terming himself and all the saffron leaders and workers as chowkidars, Sonowal said that Tarun Gogoi could not be a chowkidar as he did not possess the quality of a true watchman,” said Sonowal while urging the people to cast their votes in favour of Teli on April 11.

Earlier, BJP candidate Rameswar Teli during his address came down heavily on Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and said that if the BJP came to power after the election, the first job it would do is arrest Rahul Gandhi and put the Gandhi family behind bars.

Convinced of having the last laugh, Suren Phukan, the local BJP MLA, suggested that rival Congress candidate Paban Singh Ghatowar should stop campaigning as his defeat was assured. “He is old and ought to retire now,” said Phukan.

Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, the convener of North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), campaigned for Rameswar Teli at Ledu playground. Sarmah will also participate in a rally at Bordumsa along with BJP national president Amit Shah. The rally, slated on Friday morning at Bordumsa general ground in Chaglang district of Arunachal Pradesh, will promote the cause of party candidate Jawra Maio.

Also read: Assam news