Rohit Kumar
NEW DELHI, Feb 14: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched an all-out attack on the Congress accusing it of neglecting the Northeast and promoting insurgency in Assam during its rule.
Addressing a massive rally in Guwahati after inaugurating a six-lane bridge on the Brahmaputra River in Assam, Mr Modi alleged that the Congress always endangered the nation’s security, with fear and insecurity prevailing during its tenure in Assam. “The Congress indulged in polarization and vote bank politics, and took decisions that promoted these,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Modi made a historic landing at the North-East’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) aboard C-130J aircraft in Assam’s Moran, beginning his one-day tour of the state that is slated to go to polls soon. He had taken off from the Chabua airfield after his arrival, and landed at the ELF in Moran on a stretch of National Highway-37.
In an earlier post on X, PM Modi had said the ELF would be vital for emergency response, enabling the timely deployment of rescue and relief operations during challenging situations. The Rs 100-crore ELF, a 4.2-km reinforced stretch on the Moran Bypass will act as a strategic and multi-functional runway for IAF fighter jets and transport aircraft, strengthening defence, logistics and disaster response.
The facility is designed for both civil and military use, serving as an alternative to the Dibrugarh airport in case of emergency. The ELF is capable of handling fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes maximum take-off weight. India’s first ELF was inaugurated in 2021 in Rajasthan’s Barmer district.
After landing, PM Modi witnessed a 40-minute air show, comprising Tejas, Sukhoi, Rafale and other fighter jets. During the day, Mr Modi launched projects worth over ₹5,500 crore, inaugurated and dedicated multiple development works, unveiled the much-awaited bridge over the Brahmaputra River connecting Guwahati with North Guwahati, expected to significantly ease traffic congestion, reduce travel time and improve connectivity between the northern and southern banks of the river. He also inaugurated the temporary campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Guwahati at Bongora.
He also flagged off an additional 100 electric buses for Guwahati, as part of efforts to strengthen public transport while reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the city.
Addressing the rally, Mr Modi cautioned that “the partition of the country took place due to the Muslim League, but now there is ‘MMC’ – Maoist, Muslim, Congress – and people should be aware.” The PM accused the Congress of protecting infiltrators, but the BJP was “committed to end illegal immigration, and so the next five years are very important for the State.”
He also claimed that the Congress, being out of power in Assam for 10 years, was “more dangerous than when it was in power, and this is evident from the venomous statements made by its leaders.” For seven decades, the Congress built only three bridges over the Brahmaputra, but the BJP government constructed five bridges in 10 years, he asserted. The PM said all-round development was taking place in Assam due to the efforts of the BJP government.
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