'Politics over peace': PM Modi slams Congress for 'neglecting' Assam; accuses it of exploiting state's challenges

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Congress for neglecting Assam and the broader eastern region. Addressing a crowd at the 'Bagurumba Dwhou 2026' programme in Guwahati, the Prime Minister accused the grand old party of prioritising political gains over state's wellbeing."The Congress long neglected Assam and the broader eastern region, prioritising political gain over local development. They deliberately created trouble for the state," PM Modi said. He also accused the party to have pushed Assam towards violence and have used the challenges faced by Assam to their own political gain. "Congress pushed Assam to violence. Even Assam had many challenges after independence. Instead of solving them, Congress used them for their own political benefits," he said.He further went on to train guns at the opposition party for having not given due respect to the art and culture of the state. He said the party even opposed the recognition given to 'Bharat Ratna' Bhupen Hazarika.Targetting his remarks at the Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, he said that Kharge had opposed the installation of semi-conductor units in the state. "One of the Karnataka Ministers, also the son of Congress National President, opposed the installation of a semiconductor unit in the state, and Congress also mocks Assam’s cultural symbols when I wear them," he said.PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Assam on January 17-18 during which he felicitated the 'Bagurumba Dwhou 2026', a traditional Bodo Cultural Programme at the Sarusajai Stadium.He also held a 4km roadshow starting from the round-about on National Highway-17 outside the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) and concluded at Azara. The roadshow included showcase of various performances from various artists across the state at elevated platforms at the roadside.The PM was accompanied by the Assam CM, Himanta Biswa Sarma, during the roadshow where he received welcome from the locals.