PM Modi bats for BJP hat-trick in Assam, flags ‘dangerous conspiracy’

Dhemaji, April 1: As campaigning enters its final phase ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, the BJP, on Wednesday, rolled out its biggest trump card with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a massive rally in Gogamukh, Dhemaji.

Marking his first public rally in Assam after the announcement of poll dates, Modi opened his speech, peppered with Assamese phrases, and signalled what he described as a “definite hat-trick” for the BJP-led NDA in the state.

“This time, a hat-trick is definite,” he said, adding that just as this was his third visit to Dhemaji, the BJP government is set to return to power for a third consecutive term.

Referring to the BJP’s Sankalp Patra (manifesto), unveiled a day earlier in Guwahati by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Modi described it as a “clear roadmap” for Assam’s development.

He highlighted key promises, including large-scale job creation for youth and a proposed investment of Rs 5 lakh crore in infrastructure, which he said would generate employment across sectors.

Among the major welfare assurances, Modi said that while over 22 lakh families in Assam had already received pucca houses under central schemes, the government would aim to provide homes to an additional 15 lakh beneficiaries.

He also announced a push for free education from kindergarten to postgraduate level for children from underprivileged backgrounds.

Highlighting women-centric initiatives, Modi said over three lakh women in Assam had become “lakhpati baideo”, adding that the BJP now aims to scale this up to 40 lakh in the next five years.

The manifesto also includes proposals for the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in the state and measures to safeguard the identity, culture and rights of Sixth Schedule and tribal communities.

On agriculture, Modi said 20 lakh farmers in Assam had received Rs 7,500 crore in financial assistance so far, and promised enhanced annual support of Rs 11,000 or more for small farmers.

He added that Rs 18,000 crore would be allocated under a special mission to address flood-related losses, a recurring challenge in the state.

Highlighting the achievements of the BJP-led “double-engine” government, Modi said Assam had witnessed rapid infrastructure growth over the past decade.

He further said that peace had returned to the state, with many former militants laying down arms, and that Assam was now moving beyond its traditional identity.

“There was a time when Assam was known globally only for tea. Now, along with tea, Assam will be known for semiconductor chips,” he said, referring to upcoming technological investments.

Modi flags ‘dangerous conspiracy’

Even as he outlined development initiatives, Modi launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing it of divisive politics and neglect.

He alleged that the party had historically failed to address public needs and had instead “divided society for political gains”.

Referring to a proposed “communal violence law” discussed during the UPA era, Modi termed it a “dangerous conspiracy”, claiming it was aimed at appeasement politics and would have harmed the constitutional framework envisioned by B R Ambedkar.

“That is why BJP opposed it in Parliament,” he said, adding that similar ideas were now being discussed again by Congress leaders in Assam.

He further accused the party of allowing illegal infiltration into the state, claiming such policies had adversely affected indigenous communities.

“Congress wants to protect foreigners and turn locals into a minority,” he alleged, while asserting that the BJP government was committed to removing illegal encroachers and safeguarding Assamese identity.

He also took a swipe at the Congress leadership, remarking that the party’s “prince sitting in Delhi” was heading towards a “century of defeats”.

Concluding his address, Modi urged voters to deliver a decisive mandate for the BJP-led NDA, promising accelerated development in the coming years.

“This is Modi’s guarantee,” he said, calling on voters to break all previous turnout records on polling day, April 9.