GUWAHATI, Feb 19: BJP president Nitin Nabin on Thursday asserted that it is only the people of Assam who have rights over the state’s resources, and not Bangladeshi infiltrators.
Nabin, while addressing booth workers at Manohari tea estate in Dibrugarh district, also said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken the right steps against infiltrators to protect the rights of Assam’s people.
“The CM’s actions to send back the infiltrators indicates that he is committed to protect the rights of people,” he said.
Nabin said that he definitely considers infiltration as a ”big problem” as it snatches the rights of locals.
”It is not just the question of vote bank politics, but Bangladeshi infiltrators are taking away the resources that rightfully belong to people of the state,” he said.
He also said that even in this era of global economic crisis and instability, India is emerging as the fastest-growing economy, due to the policies initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
”Many countries of the world have been facing an economic crisis for many years and there is a political crisis, too, globally due to tension among different countries. Amid this scenario, India’s growth rate has been steady and impressive,” Nabin said.
Inflation has also been kept under control and this has been possible due to the ”far-sighted vision of the PM”, he said.
The BJP president said Modi gives priority to the northeast and “personally monitors each project” in the region.
“Previous central governments also allocated funds for the region, but those were not utilised properly,” he claimed.
Nabin, who is on a two-day visit to poll-bound Assam since Wednesday, urged party workers to visit each and every house under their booths, and explain to people the changes that have taken place during the last 10 years of BJP rule in the state.
He said that he was confident all 26 assembly constituencies in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts will be won by the BJP.
The party workers must ensure that all seats in Upper Assam areas are won by the BJP, Nabin said.
He also said that the Congress should be completely wiped out, and their “part-time politicians, who come only during elections, should not be a matter of concern”.
”It is the BJP that works 24×7, as was evident during the time of Covid when everyone went away, and it was only our party workers, who served the people,” he claimed.
The BJP chief said it was the PM who enhanced the respect of tea garden workers by ensuring they have bank accounts and other facilities.
”Now, it is our turn to give him more than double the respect he has given us by winning the forthcoming polls in Assam”.
The Assam government has also worked hard to ensure the tea garden workers get their dues, particularly by giving land rights to people who came around 200 years ago from different parts of the country and settled here, Nabin said.
”The state government has given respect and honoured your labour and commitment… and you should work with renewed energy for development of the state… you may be from anywhere, but this is your ‘karmabhoomi’ (workplace),” he said.
The PM said the country has to become ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, and the people of Assam will have to ensure the state also becomes developed by then, Nabin asserted.
The party workers must make all-out efforts to strengthen the booths, spreading the ideals, policies and work of the government, along with the role of the leadership in the all-round development of Assam, he said.
If they are ”prepared to work anywhere from the booths to the mandal, there is no power that can defeat the BJP in the polls”, Nabin said.
Nabin, earlier in the day, visited a tea garden in Assam’s Dibrugarh district and lauded labourers for their tireless work and dedication in ensuring the global recognition of the beverage.
He was accompanied to the tea estate by Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal, BJP’s Assam unit president Dilip Saikia and Culture Minister Bimal Borah.
”The tea gardens of Assam have earned global acclaim for their boundless natural beauty, and Assam tea has gained international recognition for its exquisite flavour and superior quality,” Nabin posted on X.
He said it was the result of the “tireless labour and dedication of tea workers”, and their focus and commitment have always brought pride to Assam.
In the morning, the BJP president had breakfast at the Dibrugarh residence of Sonowal along with other state party leaders.
Nabin subsequently visited the Barekuri ‘Naamghar’ (prayer hall) in Tinsukia district.
”Visited the sacred ‘Namghar’ at Barekuri in Tinsukia district, a spiritual centre that reflects the deep faith and cultural unity of the Moran community,” he posted on the social media platform.
Nabin said that he prayed for peace, prosperity and continued progress of the people of India.
”As mentioned by Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji in one of his #MannkiBaat programmes, in this small village, devotion and nature coexist beautifully, as the rare Hoolock Gibbons, lovingly called ‘Holo Bandar’, have made Barekuri their home alongside the people,” he said.
The BJP chief also visited the ‘Moidam’ (resting place) of Matak ruler Sarbananda Singha and paid floral tributes to him. (PTI)
