Guwahati, April 6: Mallikarjun Kharge on April 6 launched a strong attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party during election rallies in Assam, accusing Union Home Minister Amit Shah of repeatedly raising the issue of infiltration without taking concrete steps to deport illegal entrants.
Addressing gatherings in Cachar district and Sribhumi district, Kharge alleged that despite being in power for over a decade, the BJP has failed to act decisively against illegal migration. He claimed that while the party frequently highlights the issue, it has not undertaken large-scale deportation efforts.
The Congress chief stated that during the United Progressive Alliance regime, over 88,000 illegal migrants were deported between 2005 and 2013, while the numbers declined significantly under the National Democratic Alliance between 2014 and 2019.
Kharge also accused the BJP of leveraging the 2023 delimitation exercise in Assam for electoral gain, alleging that demographic compositions in several constituencies were altered. He further claimed that the Barak Valley region has faced neglect over the past decade, citing recurring floods, inadequate infrastructure and the absence of long-term solutions.
Raising concerns over governance, he alleged that large tracts of land were handed over to corporate entities in the name of development, while key issues such as employment, farmers’ income and infrastructure remained unaddressed.
He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the delay in implementing the proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, alleging that the issue was being raised for electoral purposes.
Targeting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kharge accused the state government of corruption and misgovernance, and alleged misuse of resources. Referring to recent controversies over alleged foreign assets and passports, he called for transparency.
At a separate rally, he also alleged that the BJP and the All India United Democratic Front were working in tandem to weaken the Congress-led opposition alliance, cautioning voters that supporting the AIUDF would indirectly benefit the BJP.
Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly is scheduled for April 9, with counting set for May 4.
