‘Double Gurami government’: Priyanka Gandhi calls PM a ‘slave’ of the US, Assam Chief Minister Himanta calls Modi a ‘slave’

New Delhi: congress Leader Priyanka Vadra on Wednesday lashed out at the BJP-led central and state governments. assamaccused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of running a “double-slavery government”.Addressing a rally in Nazira, Priyanka took aim at the BJP’s core campaign pitch, saying the party had failed to deliver on its promises. “They said they were going to have a twin-engine government. Didn’t they say that in the last election? Modi had come and said now they will run a twin-engine government. But they are running a twin-slavery government. Modi has become a slave to America and the entire country is in crisis because of his policies today.” And Hemantaji was Modiji’s slave. Most importantly, they want this dual-slavery government to enslave and subjugate the people of this beautiful and self-respecting state of Assam,” she said.Priyanka urged voters to reject what she said was a politics driven by fear and self-interest. “They work for you only when they see benefit for themselves. This is not the tradition of this country. Even today, we hope that the government in Assam will not scare you, will not threaten you, will not serve its own selfish interests, but will serve you, work for you honestly, advance and strengthen your culture and civilization,” she added.She further alleged that the BJP government in Assam operates through intimidation and corruption and alleged that public resources were being misused. “It’s not just the success of one leader. The biggest thing that happens due to corruption is having your money taken away from you. This money was meant to serve you – schools, hospitals, roads, running water – but instead it was used to build palaces and enrich families,” she said.Targeting the state leadership, Priyanka claimed that “only one family is looting everything in Assam” while ordinary citizens continue to struggle. She also accused the BJP of failing to fulfill key promises, including raising wages for tea garden workers and granting scheduled tribe status to several communities. “Various tribal communities have been demanding ST status for years. The BJP had promised to give them ST status but they have not given it,” she said.She raised concerns about governance, claiming people were being forced to attend rallies. “Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Himanta are ruling the country and state with fear and threats. Our fight is to fight this fear and protect the culture and civilization of Assam,” she said.Priyanka highlighted the Congress’ commitment, outlining the welfare measures her party would implement if elected. “If you want this kind of Assam, go for the Congress government. Our first guarantee is that for women, if you want to start some small job or business, you will get Rs 50,000. Whatever scheme we provide for women, the cash will be transferred directly into the bank account of the woman,” she said.She also pledged to expand health care support. “You will get health insurance up to Rs 25 lakh. No matter what ailment you suffer from, the government provides free treatment up to Rs 25 lakh. Our government has shown this in Rajasthan,” she said.Priyanka also raised the issue of justice for Assamese singers Zubin Gargclaiming it was a legitimate public concern. “The Congress government wants justice for Zubeen Garg ji. Within 100 days, once our government is formed, we will get justice for him. Today, all local ‘Bhumiputras’ received provisional land deeds. We will provide permanent deeds to the local one million sons of the soil, not temporary ones,” she said.She denied accusations of politicizing the issue, saying: “Honestly, I don’t think something like this should be politicized. But I think when the public demands justice for someone they respect and respect, then don’t we have a responsibility as politicians to say, yes, we will do whatever it takes to get justice? How can that be politicization?”She called for political change, urging voters to envision a “new Assam”. “Lift your heads, hold your chest high and make up your mind that the new government will bring about a new Assam. Your Assam, Zubin Gargji’s dream, Assam in your hearts, everyone’s dream, the future of your children becomes bright and corruption stops,” she said. PM Modi: Congress opposes developmentMeanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hit back hard at the Congress during a rally in the state. Addressing a rally in Biswanath, he accused the party of being the “source” of corruption in independent India. “The entire country knows that the Congress Party is anti-development and has been the source of corruption in post-independence India. In Assam, the people are well aware of what the Congress Party has done. The Congress party exploits the identity, pride and security of Assam. Since Independence, it has compromised Assam’s identity for the sake of power and has repeatedly ignored the interests of Assam,” he said.He further alleged that Congress encouraged illegal infiltration for political gain. “They (Congress) have compromised on the ‘aatma’ (soul), ‘shaan’ (pride), ‘pehchan’ (identity) and ‘suraksha’ (security) of Assam,” Modi said, adding that the BJP government has taken steps to remove encroachments and protect local identity.The prime minister also reiterated the PPP’s record of governance, saying the party’s “dual-engine government” has ushered in development and stability. “Ten years of BJP rule heralds a new dawn of ‘seva’ (services) and ‘sushasan’ (good governance) in Assam,” he said.Modi further promised to take key policy steps if the BJP returns to power, including implementation of the Uniform Civil Code and protection of tribal rights under the Sixth Schedule. He also expressed confidence in being reelected for a third consecutive term in the state.The political confrontation comes as Assam is about to enter a high-stakes assembly election, with voting in all 126 constituencies scheduled for April 9 and vote counting scheduled for May 4. The contest is expected to be a head-to-head contest between the ruling National Development Alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Congress party, with both sides ramping up their campaigning efforts and intensifying their attacks in the final stages.