Congress always cheated people, but 'chowkidar' will fight against infiltration: Modi in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday blamed the Congress government’s policies in the 1970s for infiltration in Assam and other Northeastern states. Addressing a BJP rally in Gohpur, his second in the state on Saturday, Modi said the youth should ask the elderly to find out how the Congress betrayed Assam time and again.

"Will people of Assam support those that are working against the interests of the country? They do not favour progress of our country, will they care about Assam's development?" he asked as he sought support for his party in the April-May Lok Sabha election.

The Congress always cheated people, but the 'Chowkidar' will fight against infiltration, terrorism and corruption, Modi said.

In the interest of the nation, it was the Jan Sangh and tall leaders such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had raised their voice in support of Bangladesh during its independence movement, the prime minister said. Indira Gandhi was the prime minister of India in 1971 when Bangladesh became independent from Pakistan.

Speaking about his government's achievements. Modi said: "This chowkidar has launched the 'PM Shram Yogi Mandhan Yojana' for people working in the tea gardens, those associated with the scheme will get a regular pension of Rs 3,000 per month after the age of 60."

The BJP launched the 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign for 2019 elections in a bid to blunt Congress president Rahul Gandhi 'chowkidar chor hain' jibe.

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Earlier in the day, Modi addressed a rally in Arunachal Pradesh’s Aalo. He asked the people of Arunachal Pradesh to vote for a 'chowkidar' (watchman) who would provide security to the country even as he attacked Opposition parties, claiming they were "disheartened" by India's growth and success.

Kicking off his campaign for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Arunachal Pradesh, the prime minister said the state is a "shield for the country with the people zealously guarding the border as sentinels".

Targeting the Congress, he said the grand old party is "synonymous with corruption" and has the habit of taking people of this country for a ride".

"When the country makes significant achievements, don't you feel happy? Everyone, irrespective of their social and financial status, regales at India's success stories. There are, however, some who feel disheartened by India's growth and success," Modi said.

"When India hit terrorists in their houses, what was the stand of opposition parties you have all seen. Even when our scientists made achievements, they found excuses to belittle them," he said, urging the people to "punish" opposition parties in the upcoming elections.

(With PTI inputs)