Targets Congress over ‘vote bank politics’
NEW DLEHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday trained his guns on the Congress leadership, accusing it of encouraging infiltration and indulging in vote bank politics. He directly targeted Rahul Gandhi at an election rally in Patharkandi in Assam’s Sribhumi district.
Addressing the gathering, Shah took a sharp swipe at the Congress leader, saying, “I declare this from here today, and Rahul Baba, listen to this loud and clear, we will not allow Assam to become an infiltrator-dominated region.”
He alleged that the Congress, driven by vote bank considerations, had allowed infiltration to grow unchecked, asserting that the BJP would act firmly against it if returned to power. He claimed that only the BJP can curb illegal infiltration and safeguard the state’s identity. “They will be removed one by one,” he said.
Shah alleged that illegal migrants were affecting employment opportunities and welfare benefits meant for local residents. He said jobs, ration supplies and wages intended for youth, economically weaker sections and tea garden workers were being diverted.
He added that a coordinated effort by BJP-led governments in Assam and neighbouring states would help curb cross-border infiltration. “With BJP-NDA governments in Assam, West Bengal and Tripura, infiltration will be completely stopped,” he said.
Targeting the Congress, the Home Minister accused the party of encouraging infiltration for electoral gains. He said previous Congress governments had weakened legal mechanisms by scrapping the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, and introducing the IMDT Act in 1983.
Shah also criticized the party’s opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), arguing that the law was intended to provide protection to persecuted minorities.
Emphasizing the BJP’s cultural pitch, Shah said the party was focused on preserving Assam’s heritage and identity. He pointed to the renaming of Karimganj as “Sribhumi” as a move aimed at restoring the region’s historical connection.
In a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Shah questioned his grasp of local sentiments, remarking, “How could those whose roots lie in Italy possibly understand the significance of ‘Sribhumi’?”
Shah also alleged that the Congress party’s political discourse had weakened under his leadership.
Urging people to support the BJP in the upcoming polls, Shah called on voters to give a “befitting reply” to the Congress.
“On April 9, people of Assam should ensure that the Congress is pushed to the margins,” he said.
Agencies