Congress Treated Northeast As A Burden, We See It As Ashtalakshmi: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Congress while addressing a massive gathering at Khanapara Playground in Guwahati, accusing the party of neglecting the Northeast and attempting to destabilise Assam for political gain.

He said that while Congress treated the region as a burden, the BJP government considers it ‘Ashtalakshmi’, the eight pillars of India’s prosperity.

According to him, this shift in approach is reflected in budget allocations, with the BJP-led Centre providing nearly five times more funds for the Northeast compared to previous Congress regimes.

Highlighting development initiatives, the Prime Minister said that over the past 11 years, the Centre has allocated more than Rs 5.5 lakh crore for Assam.

“The Congress was always hesitant to give money to Assam. That is why Congress can never bring development to this land,” he said.

Infrastructure Push and Brahmaputra Bridges

Referring to the Brahmaputra, he said the river has long been central to Assam’s economy, yet infrastructure development lagged under Congress governments.

“From Independence till 2014, the Congress could build only three bridges over the Brahmaputra,” he said, adding that between 2014 and 2026, the BJP’s double-engine government has built five bridges, with several more under construction.

PM Modi inaugurated the Guwahati–North Guwahati connecting bridge, describing it as a symbol of development rooted in tradition.

The Prime Minister alleged that Congress supported forces seeking to divide India and disconnect the Northeast from the national mainstream. He said the state once witnessed frequent bandhs and violence, claiming over 1,000 people lost their lives during that period.

“Today, Assam is peaceful. Many terrorist organisations have joined the mainstream,” he said, crediting the BJP with restoring stability and advancing projects such as the Vande Bharat sleeper train. He warned that the next five years are crucial and said only a strong BJP government can ensure continued rapid development.

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