Sarcastic welcome to Priyanaka Gandhi: "Political tourist" choosing our Assam for their vacation!

In a sharply worded political message, Union Minister Pabitra Margherita extended a sarcastic welcome to senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during her two-day visit to Assam, triggering fresh political sparring between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Indian National Congress.

Margherita, in a social media post, described Gandhi as a “political tourist,” while inviting her to witness what he termed the transformation of the state after the BJP came to power. The minister framed the remarks as a “welcome itinerary,” listing development projects, infrastructure expansion and law-and-order improvements as examples of the state’s progress.

Among the highlights mentioned was the upcoming semiconductor facility at Jagiroad, which he portrayed as a landmark investment that had once faced scepticism from Congress leaders. He also cited employment generation initiatives, claiming that large-scale job creation over the past five years has restored confidence among Assam’s youth.

The minister further pointed to improvements in security and stability, asserting that residents are experiencing greater peace compared to earlier decades marked by insurgency. He also referenced welfare measures for tea garden communities, including land rights initiatives benefiting thousands of families across the state.

Margherita’s remarks extended to heritage and conservation, urging Gandhi to visit Kaziranga National Park to observe strengthened anti-poaching efforts, as well as the UNESCO-recognised Charaideo Moidam, which he said reflects renewed focus on Assam’s historical legacy. He also mentioned the spiritual centre Batadrava Than and infrastructure projects such as the proposed Gohpur–Numaligarh tunnel and strategic emergency landing facilities.

Additionally, the minister invoked the legacy of Gopinath Bordoloi, noting that the state’s airport bears his name and highlighting the posthumous Bharat Ratna conferred on him in 1999 by the BJP govt.

The remarks have added a political edge to Gandhi’s visit, which includes party meetings and outreach programmes aimed at strengthening the Congress organisation ahead of upcoming electoral battles in the state.

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