Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched several development initiatives in Silchar, Assam on March 14, 2023, while strongly criticizing the Indian National Congress (INC). He claimed that the Congress is experiencing a decline in public support, potentially facing a “century of electoral defeats.” Addressing a rally in the Barak Valley, Modi noted that voters in Assam had already rejected the party, and he asserted that the Congress is struggling to maintain relevance across India.
Modi accused Congress leaders of trying to undermine the country out of frustration stemming from their continuous electoral setbacks. He referred to a protest linked to an AI summit where Congress leaders attempted to draw attention by tearing their clothes, describing it as a desperate act. The Prime Minister shifted the focus to the development agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), emphasizing the government’s mission to prioritize the upliftment of underdeveloped communities.
The launch of the Vibrant Villages Programme from Cachar district was noted, as Modi stated the BJP views border areas as critical to development, contrary to previous administrations that saw them as peripheral. He highlighted significant welfare measures for tea garden workers in Assam, mentioning the government’s “historic step” of granting land rights to numerous families.
Modi also spoke on global issues, acknowledging that many regions are experiencing conflict and asserting that his government is striving to protect Indian citizens from potential adversities arising from these crises. He characterized Congress’s response during these challenges as creating unnecessary panic and hinted that the party has become a tool of external forces resistant to India’s rapid progress.
Earlier in the day, Modi performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor, an ambitious transportation project designed to enhance connectivity between Meghalaya and Assam. This 166-kilometer corridor, with an estimated cost of ₹22,860 crore, is projected to decrease travel time between Guwahati and Silchar from 8.5 hours to 5 hours.
Criticizing Congress for previously neglecting the Barak Valley’s development, he claimed the party had failed to protect the region’s vital connection to the sea post-independence. He further derided Congress leaders, suggesting they lack the capability to comprehend the financial scope of such projects. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also expressed support for the corridor, linking it to India’s broader goal of becoming a developed nation and affirming Assam’s potential for growth aligned with national progress. The project is anticipated to bolster regional connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and enhance trade across Northeast India.
