Prime Minister Modi Highlights Development in Northeast India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a strong critique of the Congress party during a public event in Guwahati, where he inaugurated the new terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport. Modi accused Congress of neglecting the northeastern states, particularly Assam, for over six decades when it was in power both locally and nationally.

"Congress governments ignored Assam and the Northeast for six to seven decades. Now I am correcting those mistakes," Modi stated, emphasising the developments achieved under his administration over the past eleven years. He claimed these efforts have begun to restore justice to the people of Assam.

During his speech, Modi highlighted the transformation in the job recruitment process in Assam, asserting that previously, government jobs were often secured through nepotism or bribes. In contrast, he noted that the current administration, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is providing thousands of jobs based on merit alone.

Modi also accused Congress of fostering illegal immigration from Bangladesh into Assam and West Bengal as a means to bolster its voter base. He warned that this practice has led to significant demographic changes, encroachments on government lands, and threats to the indigenous Assamese population.

He cited the Supreme Court's recognition of the dangers posed by illegal immigration, which has prompted the Election Commission to undertake a special intensive revision of electoral rolls. Modi stated that Congress has opposed these measures in various forums. "That’s why people of Assam have to be careful in order to ensure safety and security of the state from such threats. People like Gopinath Bardoloi made sacrifices for this cause," he said, urging unity among the Assamese people to counteract any divisive efforts by Congress.

Following the inauguration, Modi unveiled a statue of Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bardoloi, a revered figure in Assam's history, credited with ensuring the state remained part of India post-independence. The event was attended by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and several Union ministers.

Modi praised the new airport terminal, emphasising that its design reflects Assam’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Constructed at a cost of approximately ₹6,000 crores, the terminal incorporates significant elements of local architecture, including 140 metric tonnes of bamboo and features resembling the state flower, the foxtail orchid.

The new terminal expands the airport's capacity to handle 13.1 million passengers annually, doubling its previous capacity, and includes a longer runway designed to accommodate larger aircraft.

In response to Modi's claims, Gaurav Gogoi, the Assam Congress president, critiqued the government’s record on development and employment, citing the closure of several state-run industries, including paper mills, which have led to job losses.

Modi’s visit included plans to engage with over 200 BJP officials and to conduct a discussion with students aboard a river cruise on the Brahmaputra. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a fertiliser plant in Dibrugarh, aimed at meeting local agricultural needs and reducing dependency on imports.