Sarbananda Sonowal campaigns for Hitendra Nath Goswami at Jorhat rally

A CORRESPONDENT

JORHAT: Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal addressed a gathering of over 5,000 people at Kenduguri Kala Krishti Kendra in Jorhat on Tuesday evening while campaigning for BJP candidate and sitting MLA Hitendra Nath Goswami.

Speaking at the rally, Sonowal described Goswami as not only intelligent but also a responsible and dedicated leader. Sonowal said that Goswami was not only honest but that under him, development had taken place in Jorhat at a fast pace, as evident from the number of overbridges and flyovers that had been constructed under his tenure as MLA of Jorhat in the past five years.

Another point highlighted by Sarbananda Sonowal was that during his tenure as Chief Minister of Assam (2016-21), when Hitendra Nath Goswami served as Speaker, special permission was obtained from the Union Parliamentary Affairs Ministry to allow students to attend sessions of the State Assembly.

This initiative enabled students to witness the functioning of the Assembly firsthand, helping dispel the notion that it was merely a place for disputes and disruptions. Instead, they were able to observe meaningful discussions, decision-making processes, and the passage of legislation.

Sonowal criticized the Congress party, alleging that it had encouraged illegal Bangladeshi settlement for political gains. The Union Minister further stated that the Congress failed to implement the Assam Accord and imposed the controversial IMDT Act on the people of Assam, which he claimed worsened the issue of illegal migration.

Highlighting the achievements of the BJP government under Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sonowal said that land pattas had been distributed to eight lakh indigenous people in two tranches, empowering them with ownership of land so that they could avail loans and move forward. He further spoke about the eviction drives carried out in areas like Bordowa and Kaziranga.

He also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Assam 77 times and consistently brought development initiatives to the state. Referring to recent industrial progress, Sonowal mentioned the launching of the Namrup Fertilizer Plant, which had been languishing under the Congress, the move to triple the refining capacity of Numaligarh Refinery from 3 to 9 million metric tonnes by December 2026, and the establishment of the semiconductor project, stating that such steps are strengthening the vision of a self-reliant India.

He further said that along with growth and development, culture and heritage were being simultaneously promoted and cited the examples of Bagurumba, Jhumair, and Bihu dances, which were taken to the global stage.

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