Sonitpur, 31 March (HS): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the “double engine” government is steering Assam towards a new era of development and prosperity, while addressing a public rally in Tezpur constituency of Sonitpur district ahead of the Assembly elections.
Highlighting the achievements of the BJP-led government, Singh strongly criticised the Congress, alleging that previous governments had neglected Assam and treated it unfairly. He asserted that the BJP is committed to protecting Assam’s culture, identity and dignity while ensuring rapid development across the state.
The Defence Minister said that earlier Assam was often associated with unrest and instability, but today it is being recognised for development, connectivity and growth. He credited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for initiating focused development in the Northeast through a dedicated ministry and noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has further accelerated this progress by prioritising the region.
Singh stated that Assam is emerging as the growth engine of the Northeast and that its development will significantly contribute to India’s overall progress. He added that the state’s economy has nearly tripled over the past decade and is now among the fastest growing in the country under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
He further said that Assam has set a target of reaching an economy of around 150 billion dollars by 2030 and expressed confidence that the state will achieve this goal. Significant progress has been made in sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and industry, with new institutions like AIIMS and IIM being established.
On infrastructure, Singh noted major improvements in connectivity, including expansion of railway budgets, increased flight routes and the development of high-speed corridors. He also highlighted the construction of major bridges like Bogibeel and Dhola-Sadiya, which have strengthened regional connectivity.
The Minister said that the government is focusing on farmers’ welfare, industrial growth and employment opportunities, including semiconductor projects that will benefit youth. He also accused Congress of attempting to alter Assam’s demographic balance for vote-bank politics, while praising the state government’s efforts in reclaiming land from illegal encroachment.
Singh added that welfare measures for tea garden workers, including land rights, housing, and financial assistance for women, have been prioritised. He reiterated that the BJP has always upheld Assam’s linguistic and cultural heritage, citing the inclusion of the Bodo language in the Eighth Schedule during Vajpayee’s tenure.
Several senior party leaders and a large number of local residents were present at the rally.---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
