'Deshdrohis trying to protect infiltrators': PM Modi defends SIR at Assam rally; slams INDIA bloc

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hit out at INDIA bloc at Assam rally saying, “deshdrohis ” are trying to protect infiltrators by criticising SIR exercise. The PM said EC started the process to "ensure infiltrators are kept out of the electoral process, but ‘deshdrohis’ were trying to protect them.” The PM was in Assam to inaugurate the new terminal of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport. Addressing a rally he slammed the previous Congress governments sayings, "development of the state and the Northeast region was never in its priority list.""Modi government is correcting Congress's mistakes," PM Modi said in Guwahati."My attachment to the soil of Assam, the love and affection of the people here, and especially the love of the mothers and sisters of Assam and the Northeast, continuously inspire me, strengthening our resolve for the development of the Northeast. Today, a new chapter is being added to Assam's development," PM Modi said after inaugurating a new terminal of the Guwahati airport.Also Read: SIR showdown: EC deletes over 97 lakh voters in poll-bound Tamil Nadu; 14.25 lakh deletions in Chennai alone"Development under BJP's double-engine government flows unabated in Assam just as flow of mighty Brahmaputra river," PM Modi said at Guwahati rally. He added, “the inauguration of the new terminal of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport is the proof of our vow for the region's development. I congratulate the whole nation for this new building. ”The PM termed the modern airport facility and connectivity infrastructure as the “gateways of new possibilities and opportunity.” He went on to say, “when people see that state of art highways and airports are being built in Assam they feel now Assam is getting justice.”He then slammed previous Congress governments saying, “ development of Assam and Northeastern region was never on the agenda list of their governments. People in the government used to say who goes to the region, what is the need for better infrastructure, modern railways, highways and airports.”“Because of this mentality Congress for decades ignored Assam and the North East. Modi is rectifying the mistakes made by Congress in the last six-seven decades one by one. I don’t care whether Congress people go to the North East or not, but as soon as I come here I feel I am among my people,” PM added.