Guwahati: The Narendra Modi brand took centre stage in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday, as the Prime Minister inaugurated projects worth over Rs 55,600 crore in Itanagar for seven northeastern states, days before the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections kicks in.
Additionally, a Rs 17,500-crore project was launched at Jorhat in Assam.
Addressing massive gatherings in Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) and Jorhat (Upper Assam), Prime Minister Modi focused on youth and women, presenting himself as a developer and campaigner. He highlighted the development projects completed under his tenure, explained the concept of “Modi ki Guarantee”, and promoted the ruling BJP’s new catchphrase — “Modi ka Parivar” (Modi’s family) — ahead of the polls.
Amidst his development narrative, he questioned the Opposition Congress and the INDIA formation about their accomplishments while in power. In Itanagar, he expressed confidence about the BJP-led coalition’s victory in the 2024 general elections, hinting at a third term. He inaugurated the 1 km-long Sela Tunnel, facilitating troop movement to the China border and tourism.
Modi criticised the Congress and INDIA formation for corruption, project delays and questioning who are in his family, particularly after the emergence of the “Modi ka Parivar” slogan on party leaders’ social media profiles.
“In the entire Northeast, the meaning of Modi ki Guarantee is evident through the development works undertaken,” Modi said in Itanagar, referring to the completion of the Sela Tunnel and Doni Polo Airport. “Regardless of the time or year, Modi works solely for the nation and its people,” he said.
He declared the northeast as his family and all 140 crore Indians as his kin, accusing the Opposition of prioritising their own families’ welfare, neglecting the region’s development since 2014.
The Opposition swiftly responded, criticising Modi for neglecting issues such as the Manipur crisis, the Citizenship Amendment Act and the Indo-China border tensions.
Bhupen Kumar Borah, Assam PCC chief and president of the 16-party United Opposition Forum, Assam, reminded Modi of unfulfilled promises from 2014, including the deportation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and raising the daily wage of Assam tea garden workers. He also asked whether the people of Manipur were his family and said that the Prime Minister had not even visited the state once since May 3. The ethnic conflict has left 221 dead and over 67,000 displaced
in Manipur.
Borah asked about the promise to hike the daily wage of Assam tea garden workers to Rs 350, a long-pending demand. The daily wage now is Rs 250. He asked about the promise of an error-free NRC for Assam and ST status.
Regarding projects, out of the Rs 55,600 crore inaugurated in Itanagar, Rs 3,500 crore was allocated for Manipur. The remaining funds were allocated to frontier Arunachal Pradesh (Rs 41,000 crore), Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, covering various development sectors.
Modi also launched the Rs 10,000 crore-UNNATI scheme for Northeast industrial development in Itanagar, encouraging youth participation.
In Jorhat, Assam, projects worth over Rs 17,500 crore were inaugurated, focusing on health, oil and gas, rail, and housing sectors. He also unveiled a 125-foot statue of legendary Ahom general Lachit Barphukan, symbolising Assamese pride and valour.
The Prime Minister’s day began early with a jeep and elephant safari to Kaziranga National Park at 5.30am. Spending over two hours there, he visited a nearby tea garden and encouraged tourists to explore Assam’s natural beauty and tea gardens. Photos of his KNP visit and his appeal to tourists flooded social media.
Interacting with women forest personnel and enquiring about one-horned rhinos from elephant safari guides, Modi aimed to boost tourism to Assam’s “splendid
tea gardens”.
Modi’s visit marked the first prime ministerial visit to Kaziranga since 1957 when Jawaharlal Nehru visited
the sanctuary.
