Assam: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed on March 31 that India’s neighboring countries once tried to “break” Assam by taking advantage of unrest in the state, but their “dreams were shattered” after Narendra Modi’s government restored peace and stability.
Addressing election rallies in Dibrugarh and Jorhat ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, Fadnavis said that insurgency in the state has largely ended and significant progress has been made in implementing peace agreements with insurgent groups.
Campaigning for BJP candidate Prashant Phukan in Dibrugarh, he said, “Due to earlier unrest, neighboring countries thought they could break Assam. But under Modi’s leadership, those plans failed and the state is now progressing rapidly.”
He further said that approximately 92 percent of the promises made under various peace agreements have already been fulfilled, and efforts are underway to implement the remaining promises.
Fadnavis credited the BJP government in Assam with ensuring both development and the protection of the state’s cultural identity. He alleged that the Congress party had long neglected the Northeast and adopted a “stepmotherly attitude,” leading to unrest and lack of development in the region.
Speaking at another rally in Jorhat in support of BJP candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami, Fadnavis alleged that infiltration was rampant during previous Congress governments, raising fears of demographic change in the state.
He claimed, “People had to launch movements against infiltration, and many sacrificed their lives. But infiltration continued, and Assam was burning. The situation changed after Modi came to power,” he said, adding that infiltration has since decreased and militant groups have been brought into the mainstream.
He further stated that the BJP government works not only for development but also to preserve Assam’s identity, culture, and traditions.
Emphasizing infrastructure growth, Fadnavis pointed to major investments, including the Tata Group’s upcoming semiconductor unit in Jagiroad, which he described as a “game changer” that will put Assam on the global industrial map.
Emphasizing women’s empowerment, he said that women have been key beneficiaries of government policies and that the implementation of 33 percent reservation in the legislature will give them a greater role in governance.
Fadnavis also criticized the Congress party’s stance on national issues and accused it of trying to create unrest among the people through “misleading statements.”
Taking aim at Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, the Maharashtra Chief Minister said that the BJP will return to power in Assam, leaving little political space for the opposition.
Voting for the 126-member Assam Assembly will be held on April 9, and counting will take place on May 4.
