Modi leads BJP charge

Addressing five rallies in the State, PM hits out at the ruling Congress for reducing Assam ‘from one of the most prosperous states to one among the poorest’

Our Bureau

Tinsukia/ Majuli/ Bihpuria/ Bokakhat/ Jorhat, March 26: Even as he targeted the Tarun Gogoi government for "failing to give accounts of Central funds to the tune of Rs 1,80,000 crore to the CAG", Prime Minister rendra Modi on Saturday played the development card while campaigning for the upcoming State assembly elections --- asserting that his three-pronged agenda is "development, fast-paced development and all-round development".

The Prime Minister, who addressed four largely attended rallies and a citizen's meet during his day-long tour, said Assam used to be among India's five prosperous states before Independence, but has since been reduced to poverty.

"Now, Assam is known as one of the poorest states in the country. Who is responsible for this transformation from one of the richest states to a poor state? We were never in power in Assam," he said, while highlighting the development agenda of the BJP-led Central government.

"The people of Assam are craving for electricity even after 60 years of Independence. Who is responsible for this?", he asked.

Modi, who began his speeches in Assamese wishing the people 'Mor moromor Asom bashi raiz, Joi-Joyote moi sokoluke Rangalee bihur olog joisu', alleged that the State government has been reluctant to give accounts of Rs 1,80,000 crore Central funds to the CAG. "When you ask for the accounts, Gogoiji smiles. The people have a right to seek accounts of their money," he said.

Modi claimed all the problems of 60 years under Congress rule will be solved in five years of BJP rule headed by Sarbanda Sonowal, the party's chief ministerial candidate.

"I can only see that Assam is going to have a young chief minister after the election," the Prime Minister said, thanking the mammoth gathering of people in Borguri in Tinsukia.

He promised the gathering that once a government is formed by the BJP and its alliance partners in Assam, development and progress will follow in the State.

"I want to assure you that if BJP is voted to power and a government is formed by the party and its allies, kids in the schools will not be taught 'A' for apple but 'A' for Assam," he quipped.

"When I became the Prime Minister, I asked government officials to tell me how many villages are there without electricity. They told me that there are 18,000 villages where even electric posts have not been put up. Out of this 18,000 villages, about 2,000 are in Assam. We have taken it up immediately and the process is on to electrify 1,000 such villages in Assam while the rest will follow," he said.

Modi said he has respect for Gogoi, "but I have a fight against poverty, corruption and against the destruction of Assam."

Gogoi had said earlier this month that the Congress party's fight in the forthcoming polls will be against Modi for his wrong policies and injustice towards Assam and other parts of the Northeastern region.

At rayanpur near Bihpuria, the Prime Minister said his government is taking measures which will not only stop fresh infiltration from Bangladesh but also ensure that the infiltrators in Assam return to their tive places.

"The development in Assam has not been equal all these years. While some areas have developed, the State government neglected certain areas. The Assam government always wants the Bangladeshis. They offer golden plates to Bangladeshis but take away whatever the indigenous people have," said Modi, terming it "crimil negligence".

"We, in Delhi, are taking such steps which will not only prevent fresh infiltration into Assam but will ensure that those infiltrators, who have been living in Assam, have to go back," he said.

"Congress has been the main reason for all ills in the country. We must defeat the Congress this time," he said.

Modi said Assam has registered the highest incidents of crime against women, but "the Congress is not bothered and their attitude towards these problems and issues have always remained indifferent."

Attacking the Congress for its 60 years of misrule in the country, Modi said the Congress has already ruled the country for over 60 years but for over 60 percent of the Assamese, electricity remains iccessible, forcing them to live in darkness.

Stating that the BJP-led government at the Centre is bringing a bill in Parliament on development of inland waterways, Modi said the passage of the bill will benefit the people of Assam, particularly those living on the banks of the Brahmaputra.

He also assured to provide houses to each of the poor families in Assam and alleged that the money, which the Central government had given to Assam for the housing needs of the people, is yet to be spent by the Congress government in Assam.

On Sunday, Modi will come back to the State to address two more rallies -- at Rangapara in Sonitpur district and Karimganj in Barak Valley.

TOP QUOTES

Assam was one of the five most prosperous states at the time of Independence. Today, it is one of the poorest states. Who is responsible for this transformation? The BJP was never in power

in the state.

I have just 3 agendas in Assam: development, fast-paced development and all-round development.

When I was a tea-seller, it was Assam tea I sold which refreshed people, I owe a debt to Assam for that.

I want to assure you that if BJP is voted to power and a government is formed by the party and its allies, kids in schools will not be taught 'A' for apple but 'A' for Assam

We, in Delhi, are taking such steps which will not only stop fresh infiltration into Assam but will ensure that those infiltrators, who have been living in Assam, have to go back