Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp critique of the Congress, accusing the party of neglecting the development of India’s Northeast for decades—a failure he said had serious implications for national security. Speaking at the inauguration of the new terminal building at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, Modi said the region had long suffered from policy paralysis and lack of political will under previous Congress governments.

Focusing on Assam, the Prime Minister alleged that Congress-era governance allowed large-scale illegal infiltration to take root, creating demographic and security challenges that continue to affect the state. He claimed successive Congress governments prioritized vote-bank politics over border protection and the interests of indigenous communities.

Modi asserted that the BJP-led government is now committed to making Assam infiltration-free through lawful and transparent measures. He also accused Congress and its allies of obstructing these efforts by defending infiltrators and questioning actions taken to secure the state and the nation.

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Defending the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Modi described it as a constitutional exercise to ensure free and fair elections. He noted that the Congress’ discomfort with the process had become evident as illegal infiltrators were identified and removed from voter lists, prompting many to leave the country.

The Prime Minister highlighted the inauguration of the new terminal, designed to handle an annual passenger capacity of 13.1 million, as a milestone in Assam’s aviation infrastructure. The terminal incorporates modern facilities, eco-friendly features, and technology-driven operations, significantly enhancing air connectivity in the Northeast.

Modi emphasized that the upgraded terminal would boost Assam’s economic growth, promote tourism, trade, and investment, and further integrate the Northeast with the rest of India. Accompanied by Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Prime Minister described the project as a step forward in the Centre’s broader plan to strengthen regional infrastructure and connectivity.

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