Dhemaji (Assam), Mar 31 (PTI) Former Union minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday asserted that the Assam Assembly elections this time were about “chasing out each and every infiltrator” from the country, while accusing the Congress of shielding the illegal migrants and covering the state under “dark clouds” of militancy.
She maintained that the BJP-led government has ensured progress for the state on all fronts, with women especially leading the development narrative now.
Addressing a campaign rally for the party’s Sissiborgaon constituency candidate Jibon Gogoi, Irani said, “This election is not about making someone an MLA or Himanta Biswa Sarma the chief minister again. This is about chasing out each and every infiltrator away from our country.” Mentioning the Dhemaji blast of August 15, 2004, in which 13 people, including school children, were killed, the BJP leader said, “These were innocent people killed. What was their mistake? Such dark clouds engulfed the state that innocents lost their lives.” Irani asserted that the state has now reached a phase where everyone can unfurl the National Flag without any fear, which was a credit of the current dispensation at the Centre and the state.
Accusing the Congress of shielding the infiltrators, she questioned why the grand old party and its allies in the opposition were against the revision of electoral rolls before the elections.
“Only Indians should be included in the electoral rolls. When the Election Commission wanted to revise the rolls, why did the Congress protest it? They want to protect Indians or the infiltrators?” she questioned.
Irani lauded the state government for clearing over 1.65 lakh bighas of land from illegal encroachers, while hitting out at the Congress for failing to take any step while in power.
Maintaining that the state has been marching in the path of development in the last 10 years, the former MP and popular actor said women are occupying a central position in this growth narrative.
“Earlier it was said that women voted wherever their husbands asked them to; but now it is the women who tell their husbands to vote for lotus (BJP’s election symbol) and the men comply,” she said.
With 33 per cent seat reservation for women on the way to being implemented, they will have even greater stakes, Irani said, adding, “It has been possible due to the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.” The former minister also highlighted various welfare schemes for different sections, including farmers and youth, and urged the people to ensure that the BJP-led alliance retains power in the state.
Elections to the 126-member Assam Assembly will be held on April 9. Votes will be counted on May 4. PTI SSG SSG RG
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