Rahul Gandhi on Sunday made two categorical promises to the people of poll-bound Assam: the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would not be allowed under any circumstances and a daily minimum wage of Rs 365 to tea garden workers.

Addressing a pre-poll rally at Sivasagar’s Boarding Field in Upper Assam, where the Opposition Congress has rapidly lost ground since the BJP-led alliance comprehensively won the 2016 state elections, a combative Rahul Gandhi went all out against the ruling dispensation. He flagged issues such as demonetisation, the pandemic management, privatisation, the CAA and unemployment.

The Congress MP’s blistering attack on the BJP during his first such rally in the region suggested he was unperturbed by the tag of “doomsday man” bestowed on him on Saturday by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Rahul not only raised the same issues but also continued with his “hum do, hamare do” barb.

Rahul Gandhi shows the anti-CAA message on the gamucha (traditional Assamese towel) at the Sivasagar rally. Telegraph picture

The first commitment the Congress MP made was on maintaining the sanctity of the 1985 Assam Accord, which most in Assam feel has been diluted with the imposition of the CAA under the BJP-led Centre despite widespread protests in the state.

“The Assam Accord is Assam’s protector, it protects you.… First thing I want to say to you all on the Assam Accord, me and all Congress leaders will defend and protect the Assam Accord, will not move back an inch on the Assam Accord.… Influx is an issue and it can be resolved through talks,” Rahul said.

He then showed the Gamucha (the traditional Assamese scarf) with which he was greeted and was worn by all Congress leaders on the dais.

“I have worn this Gamucha with CAA written on it and over which we have put a cross. We have all worn it. This means, whatever happens, the CAA will not happen. Hum do, hamare do, acchi tarah se sun lo, (CAA) nahi hoga, kabhi nahi hoga,” he declared.

Rahul Gandhi in traditional Ahom attire at Sivasagar. Telegraph picture

Under the contentious legislation, non-Muslims who have entered the country till December 2014 from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan can acquire Indian citizenship.

The CAA is seen as a threat to Assamese culture and identity. On the other hand, the 1985 pact has fixed March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for detecting and deporting illegal foreigners.

Rahul reached out to the influential tea community and its long-pending demand for a minimum daily wage. The BJP-led state government has committed to increase the daily wage from Rs 167 to Rs 351 a day this month.

“Our tea workers get Rs 167 a day while Gujarat traders get tea gardens. What do you get for Rs 167? This is why they want to divide Assam. They know if they want to steal from Assam, they will have to divide Assam. Therefore, our brothers from tea gardens, please listen carefully: you get Rs 167 and we will put another Rs 200 minus two in your pockets. Everyday you will get Rs 365 a day. You will now ask where will we get this Rs 200 from.… We will get it from traders from Gujarat because they are snatching it from you.”

He said India was being run by four persons, “hum do, hamare do, and if we extend it to Assam it will be hum do, hamare do, aur hamare do”, alluding to state chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The rally was high on symbolism with the Congress trying to convey that the party represented the interests of Assam. PCC leaders presented Rahul Gandhi with traditional Ahom attire complete with a hengdang (traditional Ahom sword). They played the state anthem O Mur Apunar Dex.

PCC chief Ripun Bora and CLP leader Debabrata Saikia laid stress on the sacrifices and steps taken by the party to protect and keep Assam united.

Rahul started his speech by chanting “Jai Aai Ahom (glory to Mother Assam)”, a popular slogan during the six-year-old Assam Agitation which culminated in the signing of the 1985 Assam Accord.

He also felicitated Uma Kanta Baruah, grandson of 1830 martyr Swahid Jiuram Dulia Baruah.

The meeting ended with the “aami CAA nemanu (we won’t accept CAA)” song.

Sivasagar is a Ahom-dominated constituency, playing a decisive role in state polls just like the tea community.

Prime minister Narendra Modi too had addressed his first poll rally at Sivasagar's Jerenga Pathar, about 4 km from Boarding Field. Modi will be visiting the state for the third time on February 22.

Rahul said he had raised only a two to three Assam specific issues but there were a lot more which he would focus on in due course because we want this state to make rapid progress and generate jobs for its youths. He said the state should not be run by remote control from “Nagpur and Delhi”. He is expected to attend at least six rallies.

Congress workers and leaders are hoping Rahul’s visit will galvanise the party at the grassroots as they are up against a well-entrenched ruling dispensation. Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal had on Saturday said in the Assembly that the BJP would retain power because of the good work done by it since 2016.