Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a direct attack on the state’s ruling Congress, holding it responsible for the lack of development in the northeastern states. Mr Modi, who addressed two mammoth public rallies at Kokrajhar and Guwahati, said: “Assam, which has given a Prime Minister to the nation for 10 years, should have been in the front line of development, but it is still drowned in problems.”
Pointing out that those who couldn’t do anything in the last 15 years now expected him to “do everything” in just 15 months, Mr Modi said: “None of the promises made to the people of Assam for 12-13 years have been fulfilled. It has become a fashion not to give an account of your own work, but (they) want me to give an account of development in merely 15 months of my government.”
Mr Modi began his address in Kokrajhar by apologising for the delay in reaching there from Gangtok, Sikkim’s capital. “Sorry to keep you waiting, but I haven’t been late enough for you to be deprived of development and your rights.”
He said his visit to Kokrajhar, headquarters of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), was inspired by the renewal of the BJP’s friendship with Bodoland People’s Front. The BPF has been an ally of the NDA since the BTC was set up in 2003, but it befriended the Congress to rule Assam together from 2006 to 2014. “BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary and other leaders came to my house a few days ago and they poured their hearts out seeking a development package. We will show we have a big heart in providing what you deserve, just as you have a big heart in taking us along,” the PM said, but contrary to claims by BPF leaders, did not announce any special package for the Bodoland Territorial Council.
Mr Modi also took a dig at Assam CM Tarun Gogoi for lampooning him with a series of posters. “A person who should have been explaining his failures during 15 years of rule is asking for the account of our development in the past 15 months,” he said.
In a significant announcement, the Prime Minister said his government had decided to grant Cabinet approval to ST status for Bodo-Kachari in the hills and Karbis in the plains areas soon. Saying his government was committed to accelerating the pace of development across the whole of eastern India, including Assam, Mr Modi said the department of Northeast affairs (DONeR) had been asked to monitor the speedy implementation of all development schemes in the northeastern states. “The entire secretariat of the Northeast ministry will move to the region and review the progress of work with the state government,” Mr Modi said. He then reiterated: “Our focus is on Act East, to integrate this region in the development journey. And to ensure development, we are building roads, railways and waterways.”
