PM Modi accuses Opposition of aiding infiltrators

New Delhi, Sep 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Opposition, alleging that its vote-bank politics had always taken precedence over national interest.

Addressing a public gathering after laying the foundation stone and inaugurating projects worth around Rs 6500 crore in Darrang, he accused the Opposition of protecting anti-national elements and infiltrators.

“The Opposition has now become the biggest protector of infiltrators. When they were in power, they encouraged infiltration and now want to permanently settle infiltrators in India,” PM Modi alleged.

He recalled that Mangaldoi once witnessed a powerful people’s movement to protect Assam’s identity, but the then government “retaliated by allowing illegal encroachments on land, including places of faith and farmers’ property.”

Drawing parallels with past grievances, the Prime Minister said the wounds of the North East from the 1962 India-China war “have not healed,” accusing the Congress of “rubbing salt” on them.

He also took aim at the Congress over Bharat Ratna recipient Bhupen Hazarika.

“Congress insulted the son of Assam and made fun of the Bharat Ratna given to Bhupen Da. It hurts deeply,” he said, asking the crowd to endorse his decision to honour the legendary singer.

PM Modi also renewed his call for adopting swadeshi, urging citizens to buy Made-in-India goods.

“My definition of swadeshi is simple, the company may belong to any country, but the product must be made in India with the sweat of our youth. Promise me you will buy swadeshi, gift swadeshi, and even put up boards saying proudly that this shop sells swadeshi goods,” he said, recalling how wearing a traditional Assamese gamochha in Kanyakumari once earned him affection from locals.

On the development front, the Prime Minister inaugurated projects including the Darrang Medical College and Hospital, the Guwahati Ring Road project, and the foundation of the Kurua–Narengi bridge over the Brahmaputra.

He said these initiatives would improve healthcare, strengthen connectivity, and boost economic opportunities.

“Earlier, in six decades, only three bridges were built over the Brahmaputra. In just one decade, our government has constructed six,” he said.

Highlighting Assam’s rapid growth, PM Modi said the state was now expanding at nearly 13 percent annually, one of the fastest in the country.

He praised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government for reclaiming “lakhs of bighas” of land from infiltrators, particularly in Darrang’s Gorukhuti area, which is now being developed as an agricultural hub.

The Prime Minister also announced a new “Demography Mission” to counter attempts to alter the demographic composition of border areas through infiltration, calling it a “grave threat to national security.”

He said that his government would not allow infiltrators to seize the rights and resources of farmers, youth, and tribal communities.

Recalling the recent success of Operation Sindoor, PM Modi accused the Opposition of siding with Pakistan’s army and propagating its falsehoods.

“When our Army eliminated terror masterminds, the Opposition echoed Pakistan’s voice. This is their track record,” he said.

Looking ahead, PM Modi said the North East would be at the heart of India’s growth story in the coming decades.

“The next phase of the 21st century belongs to the East and the North East,” he said, underlining that improved connectivity, healthcare, and cultural preservation would make Assam a “growth engine” of a developed India.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal were present at the event.