Gaurav Gogoi Slams PM Modi's "Poor Report Card" in Northeast Amid Assam Visit

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President and Lok Sabha Deputy Leader of Opposition Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, terming his performance in Assam and the Northeast as "extremely poor" across sectors like industrial development, employment generation, and unemployment resolution.

Speaking to journalists in Majuli during the Prime Minister's two-day visit to the state, Gogoi accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Assam of systematically shutting down public sector undertakings (PSUs) over the past decade. He cited the closure of paper mills, the second unit of the Namrup fertiliser plant in 2020, delays in commissioning the fourth unit, and the sale of tea gardens under the Assam Tea Corporation.

"The BJP boasted about the semiconductor project in Jagiroad, but it came at the cost of shutting down a functional paper mill. True development would have preserved existing industries while establishing new ones elsewhere," Gogoi said.

He alleged that benefits in Assam are now limited to a handful of individuals close to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, with policies favouring monopolies by handing over projects to select corporate houses.

Gogoi also accused the Chief Minister of deflecting public attention by targeting cultural icon Zubeen Garg, claiming efforts to malign the late singer's character were aimed at suppressing discussions on his anti-CAA stance and vision for Assam. He alleged political pressure on Garg's supporters and family, including arrests.

On foreign policy, Gogoi condemned the recent lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh's Mymensingh, blaming failures in the Modi government's neighbourhood policy for emboldening anti-India forces. "Neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka are drifting away, eroding India's influence," he said.

Demanding a white paper on central funds released for flood and erosion control in Assam compared to other states, Gogoi contrasted the current regime with the Congress era under Dr Manmohan Singh, highlighting national project status for initiatives like the Bogibeel Bridge.

Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, Gogoi asserted that the people would respond to "those who mock them" through the ballot. He outlined Congress's vision for an "ideal Assam" via the 'Raijor Padulit Raijor Congress' outreach: quality higher education, healthy rural environments, drug-free villages, and sports infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Congress continued statewide protests against alleged corruption in the Jal Jeevan Mission. Led by Gogoi, a major demonstration in Majuli under the slogan "Nal Ache, Jal Nai" (Pipes are there, but no water) highlighted scheme failures, with similar actions in other districts like Jagiroad.

Also Read: Massive Turnout at Funeral of Slain Bangladesh Youth Leader Sharif Osman Hadi; Buried Beside National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam