Daijiworld Media Network - Dibrugarh
Dibrugarh, Dec 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Congress over the issue of illegal Bangladeshi migrants, accusing the party of settling and protecting them, while asserting that the BJP-led “double-engine government” was rectifying decades of neglect and policy failures in Assam.
Addressing a public gathering after laying the foundation stone for a Rs 10,601 crore brownfield ammonia-urea fertiliser plant in Dibrugarh district, the Prime Minister alleged that the Congress had promoted an “anti-India” agenda and remained indifferent to the identity, aspirations and interests of the people of Assam.
“The Congress has no concern for the identity of Assam and its people. They are interested only in power and doing things they did before,” Modi said.
Accusing the opposition party of encouraging illegal migration for political gains, he said, “That’s why they like illegal Bangladeshi migrants more. The Congress had settled them and is saving them. This is the reason why the Congress is opposing the ongoing exercise to correct the voters’ list.”
The Prime Minister further alleged that the Congress was attempting to settle Bangladeshis on Assam’s land and forest areas to strengthen its vote bank. “You get destroyed in the process, but they are not bothered. They only want to consolidate their vote bank,” he said.
Stating that Assam must be protected from the “poison” of appeasement and vote-bank politics, Modi assured the people that the BJP stood firmly with them to safeguard the state’s identity and honour.
“The BJP prioritises every work that enhances Assam’s prestige. But when we do that, the Congress gets the most troubled,” he said, recalling that the opposition had openly opposed the conferring of the Bharat Ratna on legendary singer-songwriter Bhupen Hazarika.
Modi also accused the Congress of opposing development initiatives, including the establishment of a semiconductor unit in Assam under the BJP-led government.
Highlighting welfare measures, the Prime Minister said that despite being in power for decades, the Congress had denied land rights to the tea garden community in Assam. “The BJP government has given them land rights and a dignified life. I am a chaiwalla; if I don’t do it, who will?” he remarked.
He further criticised previous Congress governments for neglecting industrial infrastructure, particularly fertiliser units, leading to repeated shutdowns and hardship for farmers and workers.
“The technology in old factories became outdated and Congress governments paid no attention. Many units in Namrup kept shutting down. Congress never found a solution to this problem. Our double-engine government is now resolving even those issues created by them,” Modi said.
Citing reforms in the fertiliser sector, the Prime Minister noted a significant rise in domestic urea production over the past decade. “In 2014, the country produced only 225 lakh metric tonnes of urea. After 10-11 years of hard work, production has increased to around 306 lakh metric tonnes,” he said.
Describing the fertiliser project as a historic milestone, Modi said the day marked the beginning of a new chapter of industrial progress for Assam and the Northeast. “The long-standing dreams of Namrup and Dibrugarh are being fulfilled today. What you are experiencing now is just the beginning,” he added.
The brownfield Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Project at Namrup, located within the premises of Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited (BVFCL), is expected to meet fertiliser requirements of Assam and neighbouring states, reduce import dependence, generate employment and boost regional economic growth.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said BVFCL, the oldest fertiliser unit in the Northeast, would undergo major expansion with the establishment of a fourth plant at the Namrup site.
“The new plant, supported by the Government of India, is expected to be completed in the next five years with a production capacity of 12.5 lakh metric tonnes per annum,” Sonowal said, adding that it would enable supplies to states like West Bengal and Bihar and exports to neighbouring countries such as Bhutan and Myanmar.
Meanwhile, the Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Ltd is set to have an annual urea production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes, with commissioning scheduled for 2030.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi visited the Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Paschim Boragaon, Guwahati, and paid homage to the martyrs of the Assam Movement.