Siliguri, November 5: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing the party of having conspired to protect illegal immigrants in Assam during its years in power. Addressing a press conference in Siliguri, Sonowal cited the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983, commonly known as the IMDT Act, as an example of what he described as the Congress's policy towards illegal immigration in Assam.
Sonowal alleged that instead of taking effective steps to identify and deport illegal immigrants, the Congress government had introduced legislation that protected them. He described the enactment of the IMDT Act in 1983 as a major step against the interests of Indian citizens.
Referring to the six-year-long Assam Movement, the Union Minister said the legislation and the issue of illegal immigration had triggered widespread public opposition in the state. He said the central demands of the movement were the identification of foreigners, deletion of their names from electoral rolls and their deportation from the country in accordance with the law.
Sonowal claimed that the people of Assam and wider Indian society had repeatedly raised these demands, but the Congress had failed to take sincere steps to address them. He also referred to the Supreme Court's decision declaring the IMDT Act unconstitutional and striking it down, describing the verdict as evidence of the failure of the Congress's approach.
The minister then turned his attention to national security, accusing the Congress of failing to respond adequately to attacks on India during its years in power. He contrasted the previous Congress-led governments with the Narendra Modi administration, claiming that the present government had delivered a firm response to attacks from Pakistan.
Highlighting what he described as the country's transformation over the past 12 years, Sonowal said India had witnessed significant development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the country's national confidence and self-respect had strengthened, adding that people increasingly felt that India's security and development were assured under Modi's leadership.
Sonowal also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his associates, accusing them of attempting to disrupt the country's development narrative. He alleged that, despite the positive atmosphere created by the country's progress, Rahul Gandhi and his associates were taking steps intended to create confusion among the public.
The Union Minister further accused the Congress of failing to eradicate poverty despite its long tenure in power. He claimed that the party had not been able to initiate meaningful development programmes and alleged that its governments in different states were responsible for violence and conspiracies that undermined democratic institutions.
Sonowal said Congress leaders had no convincing answers when people questioned the party's record in government. He concluded by emphasising the goal of building a developed and self-reliant India, while asserting that the country's development journey should continue without disruption.
