Guwahati: Union minister and senior BJP leader Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday campaigned for the party in Lakhimpur and Dibrugarh constituencies ahead of the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state and assailed the Opposition Congress for their alleged lack of developmental initiatives for the region.
“People know better about the Congress and the candidates that they project. Today, people are aware, educated and rooted in the facts of our country. The words of Congress can’t persuade people anymore, but solid development by the BJP does. We will only talk about the developments that took place during the days of the Modi government, Sonowal, who is contesting as the BJP candidate for Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency said while addressing meetings at Chiring village in Dangori; Jon Kareng in Jonai to muster support for Pradan Baruah, the BJP candidate for Lakhimpur constituency.
Sonowal further attended public meetings at Ganeshbari Tea Estate in Mohanbari; at Poharikhania village in West Mandal; Chowkidingee Smashan Para in Middle Mandal as well as at Naliapool in East Mandal.
“Today, we can boast of two big bridges which have enhanced the convenience of the people. For more than 60 years of Congress rule, the need and demand for such critical projects fell on deaf ears. It was unimaginable for any popular government to function with such disregard for people’s needs,” the BJP leader said.
“The construction of roads and bridges determines the level of development of a place. But after Modi ji took over, the bridges were built at a fast pace. After we requested the then NDA government, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee released Rs 350 crore to complete the incomplete bridge work at Bogibeel. After Bogibeel, the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, the second bridge at Saraighat, was also constructed in a short period,” he said.
Taking a dig at the Opposition further, Sonowal said, “Congress is just the foundation stone laying government. We have completed most of the foundation stonework that they have laid.”
Campaigning for Pradan Baruah, the NDA candidate in the Lakhimpur constituency, Sonowal said, “I have a personal acquaintance with Pradan Baruah. He has tirelessly worked for every assembly constituency within the Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency over the years. It’s essential to engage with local communities and acknowledge his dedication to addressing public issues. A true public servant is one, who consistently serves the people’s interests. These qualities are evident in Pradan Baruah’s character.”
“During my tenure as Chief Minister, he prioritised infrastructure development, including building embankments and dredging rivers in flood-affected areas of Lakhimpur. I urge the respected people of Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency to support him on April 19,” Sonowal said.”
The Union minister also participated in a public interaction programme at Ganeshbari Tea estate near Mohanbari in Dibrugarh.
Addressing the tea community, he said, “There was a time when Delhi was a faraway place for the people of the Northeast. However, when Narendra Modi took charge as the leader of the government, this seemingly widening hiatus, perpetrated by an insensitive government by Congress, between Delhi and Dispur or Delhi and Dibrugarh kept reducing. The flight of development reduced the long-neglected gap between Delhi and Dibrugarh.”
“With more than 60 visits as Prime Minister along with more than a thousand visits by various Union Ministers, Modi ji ensured that the doors of Delhi open at the threshold of every corner of the Northeast. To all my brothers and sisters of the tea community, the BJP government has consistently demonstrated goodwill towards you. During our tenure, significant efforts have been made to enhance the quality of life for tea tribal communities through various welfare schemes,” Sonowal said.
“Besides, for the first time since Independence, 12 lakh bank accounts have been opened for tea garden workers. Additionally, pregnant tea workers have received a financial grant of Rs 15,000 under the wage compensation scheme, and over 7.5 lakh tea workers have been provided with Rs 8,000 each under the Tea Garden Dhan Puraskar Mela,” he said.
“Furthermore, a remarkable instance occurred when members of the Assam Legislative Assembly addressed the challenges faced by tea workers in the industry—a testament to the goodwill extended towards you. These examples underscore our commitment to your well-being,” he added.
Sonowal was accompanied by MLA of Sadiya, Balin Chetia; MLA of Jonai, Bhuban Pegu along with other senior leaders and workers of the party.
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