Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Congress of aligning with Pakistan’s narrative, alleging that such a stance undermines national security.
Speaking at an election rally in Assam’s Barpeta district, he said that while his government has conducted Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistan, the opposition continues to "sing to the tune of" the neighbouring country.
“This Pakistan connection compromises with the nation's security, and we can never allow that,” he said.
On the development front, he alleged that the Congress had always taken a myopic view on the matter, while the BJP works towards ensuring long-term development of the nation.
"The party always took short-term measures so that they could indulge in corruption. But the BJP looks far ahead while taking decisions for all-around development of all sections of society," Modi said.
The prime minister also accused the Congress of neglecting the armed forces by failing to implement the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ scheme.
"But the BJP government ensured that justice was done to those who protect the nation by giving them this benefit," he said, adding that so far, Rs 1.24 lakh crore has been disbursed to the bank accounts of veterans.
Modi accused the Gandhi family of indulging in dynastic politics and corruption.
"The first family of Congress is the most corrupt in the country, indulging in scams of huge proportions and is currently out on bail.
The Congress can do only two things -- tell lies and indulge in corruption," he alleged.
In an apparent swipe at Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's "mohabbat ki dukaan" pitch, Modi said the Congress represents "mithya ki dukaan" (shop of lies) and "apmaan" (insult).
"There is another family in Assam...and both are making false promises ahead of the polls," he said, in an apparent reference to Gandhi's deputy in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, who is also the president of the party's state unit.
The PM also accused the Gandhi family of occupying land in prime locations of Delhi.
"The Congress alleges that the BJP acquires land from people, but they don't talk about the prime lands in Delhi with them in the name of National Herald, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust and others," he said.
Modi said the BJP acquired land for the state's development, which has benefited all sections of society.
"They are now talking about land as it (land) has shifted from beneath their feet," he claimed.
Referring to the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) at Moran, the PM said that earlier, the road conditions were such that even vehicles had difficulty in plying, but now fighter jets can land on a highway in Assam.
Modi alleged that the Congress adopted a stepmotherly attitude towards the state and neglected Upper Assam and the Barak Valley.
"The Congress did nothing for the tea garden workers, but the BJP government gave them land rights for their homes," he claimed.
"During my last visit to Dibrugarh, I had interacted with women tea garden workers, but to insult me, they made fun of their dress and culture," he alleged.
The PM alleged Congress only helped infiltrators for vote bank politics, and allowed them to settle on the land belonging to 'sattras', temples, tribal communities, besides the Kaziranga National Park.
"It is the BJP that is freeing these lands from the encroachers and also giving land rights to the indigenous people of Assam," he said.
Asserting that people's aspirations are the BJP's priority, Modi said, "The Congress is in power in Himachal, Karnataka and Telangana; they made tall promises before the polls, but what have they done so far?" Referring to the West Asia conflict, Modi said the government is working to shield citizens, especially the poor, middle class and farmers, from its impact.
"It has been the BJP's priority since the beginning to focus on minimising their sufferings, and this will continue," he said.He said that peace was established in Assam after a lot of sacrifices and due to the BJP's honest effort to implement the various peace accords signed during the last 10 years.
"Peace and stability in the state has led to development under the BJP rule... to ensure this continues, it is necessary to keep the Congress out (of power)," the PM said.
Appealing to women voters, Modi said the proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament would come into effect from the 2029 general elections. He urged women in Assam to press all political parties to support the Bill.
Elections to the 126 assembly constituencies in the state will be held on April 9, with counting of votes on May 4.
(With inputs from PTI)
