Prime Minister Modi addresses a public event in Barpeta, Assam
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack on the Congress party during an election rally in Assam state on Monday, accusing the opposition of aligning itself with Pakistan’s rhetoric, indulging in corruption and failing to deliver on development promises.Addressing a rally in Barpeta district, Prime Minister Modi said that while his government carried out Operation Sindoor against terror camps in Pakistan, the Congress continued to “keep pace with its neighbours”.
He further claimed that Congress echoed Pakistan’s position during the surgical strikes in 2016 and Operation Sindoor in 2025.“This association with Pakistan always weighs heavily (‘hamesha desh par bhariparta hain’) on the country and we must not allow this to happen,” he said.The prime minister also accused Congress of adopting a short-term approach to governance.“The party always takes short-term measures in order to condone corruption. But the BJP takes a long-term view while taking decisions for all-round development of all sections of society,” PM Modi said.He further criticized the opposition for not implementing the One Level One Pension (OROP) scheme for decades. “So far, we have disbursed Rs 124 crore to the bank accounts of former Army personnel,” he said.Prime Minister Modi also accused the Congress leadership of corruption and dynastic politics. “The First Family of Congress are the most corrupt in the country, they perpetrated massive fraud and are currently out on bail,” he said.Slamming Rahul Gandhi for his “mohabbat ki dukaan” remarks, the Prime Minister said the Congress party stands for “mithya ki dukaan” (shop of lies) and “apmaan” (insult).He also questioned the Congress party’s record of governance in the state it rules, adding, “Peace and stability in the state have led to developments under the BJP rule and for this development to continue, it is necessary to prevent the Congress party (from coming to power).”The Prime Minister further pointed out that the minimum support price of paddy has been increased from Rs 1,300 per quintal in 2013 to Rs 2,370 currently and highlighted the direct benefit transfer to farmers.He also mentioned that Assam’s ‘Joha’ rice is currently being exported to European countries.Meanwhile, at another rally in Khojai, the prime minister focused on global developments and the impact of fuel prices, warning voters against parliament.“Despite such a global crisis, the country is not allowing petrol and diesel prices to increase. But the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has increased the prices of petrol and diesel. This means that this royal family talks about relief to the people before the elections but leaves the people in trouble after the elections. That is why every family in Assam has to be very careful,” the Prime Minister said.Referring to the situation in West Asia, he said the government was working hard to protect citizens from its effects.“There are problems across the world due to the crisis in the Middle East. But even during this global crisis, the BJP government is looking out for the interests of citizens. Our priority is that the burden of the global crisis should not fall on the poor, middle class and farmers, and this remains our priority even today,” he said.Prime Minister Modi also raised the issue of infiltration, linking it to identity and security. “The issue of infiltration is about livelihood, identity and security. The BJP-NDA is working to protect Assam from demographic imbalance. Every vote given to the BJP will help stop infiltrators and protect Assam’s identity,” he said.Polling in all 126 assembly constituencies in Assam will be held in phases on April 9 and counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
