Guwahati: Exuding confidence to win the fourth consecutive Assembly polls in Assam next year, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday warned the people of Assam of BJP’s design to incite fratricidal violence in the state before poll to gain narrow political mileage.
“The BJP has only one card in its pocket – making Indians fight among each other. They spread hatred and anger and make brothers fight with each other. The BJP knows it cannot win if people are united, so wherever there are elections, BJP incites violence,” Rahul Gandhi said addressing a rally at the end of his ‘unity march’ at Medertary in Barpeta district of western Assam.
He fired a broadside at the BJP for making hollow promises to woo voters during polls only not to keep those after polls. He pointed out the failure of Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre to keep its pre-poll promises.
“Modi made tall promises before last year’s Lok Sabha elections. He will again come to Assam before Assembly elections to make promises that will not be kept later. The people should question him what has happened to special state status to Assam as well as to promise of Rs 15 lakh in each Indian’s account that Modi had assured after getting black money from overseas,” he said.
Gandhi said like the voters in Bihar, voters in Assam would also reject BJP in the next election. Praising Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government in the state, which will seek a fourth straight term here next year, the Congress vice-president said, “Fifteen years ago, Assam was plagued by violence and Tarun Gogoi has brought peace and prosperity to the state. Development cannot happen with violence remaining uncontrolled.”
Gandhi alleged that the Modi-led government has been trying to curtail pro-poor policies of the previous UPA government, including MGNREGA, Food Security Bill and Land Acquisition Act. “Modi wants to weaken the poor people and make just two-three industrialists strong. But we want to strengthen the poor. That is our basic difference with the BJP,” he said.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi walked about seven kilometers while travelling from Barpeta town to the rally venue at Medertary as part of his ‘unity march’ in the state, during which he also interacted with party workers.
