GUWAHATI, March 14: Assam Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on March 13 launched a sharp criticism of leaders of the Indian National Congress, accusing them of maintaining a “royal mindset” and remaining disconnected from ordinary people.
Taking aim at Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Rahul Gandhi, Mallabaruah alleged that some opposition figures behave like royalty and prefer interacting only with elites instead of engaging with the general public. He claimed that such leaders see themselves as kings and show little inclination to connect with common citizens.
Speaking about development initiatives in the state, the minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth more than Rs 4,570 crore in Kokrajhar. He explained that unfavourable weather conditions prevented the Prime Minister from travelling from Guwahati to Kokrajhar, but the programme was conducted virtually, with both the Prime Minister and Chief Minister addressing the gathering remotely from Guwahati.
Mallabaruah said the Prime Minister virtually laid the foundation stone for the projects and interacted with the public despite the disruption caused by the weather. He added that people had shown strong enthusiasm for the large-scale development push, which includes investments exceeding Rs 5,000 crore in infrastructure such as new roads, bridges, railway facilities and a wagon manufacturing unit.
Meanwhile, Biswajit Daimary welcomed the announcement of the projects, stating that the initiatives would bring major benefits to residents across the state, particularly in the Bodoland region.
Daimary said the infrastructure plans include the construction of two major bridges in the Bodoland region, which are expected to significantly improve connectivity for communities that previously faced difficulties travelling between areas. He also noted that several overbridges will be built in Kokrajhar district, along with bridges linking the National Highway to Kokrajhar town and the Bodoland Secretariat.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Daimary said the projects would strengthen connectivity and contribute to overall development in the region.
