After Bengal, Amit Shah Kicks Off BJP's Poll Campaign In Assam; Says Development Is The Only Way Forward

While speaking at a rally in Assam's Kamrup, Amit Shah said that Northeast has emerged as country's growth engine under leadership of PM Narendra Modi.

Amit Shah being felicitated with a traditional Assamese Japi (hat) by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma during a programme of Assam Darshan, at Amingaon in Kamrup. (Image: PTI)

Guwahati: After strengthening Bharatiya Janata Party's election preparedness in West Bengal last week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday night arrived in Guwahati to formally launch the ruling saffron party's campaign for next year's Assam assembly polls. Shah, during his three-day trip to northeastern part of the country, will visit Assam and Manipur and would also meet allies of BJP in Assam including Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Gana Shakti and Rabha Jatiya Aikya Manch. While speaking at a rally in Assam's Kamrup, the senior BJP leader said that North East has emerged as country's growth engine under leadership of PM Narendra Modi.

LIVE: HM Shri @AmitShah lays the foundation stone of various development projects in Assam. Watch at https://t.co/KIewgnzJq0 pic.twitter.com/gOme9TQ391

— BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) December 26, 2020

Especially mentioning Assam, Shah said that the state has embarked on journey of peace and development. Further hitting out at the Congress party, former BJP president said that the grand old party did not do anything for the birthplace of Acharya Sankardev whose contributions gave recognition to Assam's history, drama writing, arts and poetry. "However, BJP believes that India can not achieve greatness until the culture and language of states are strengthened. India's culture and arts are incomplete without Assamese culture and arts," Shah said. "In Assam, there was a period of movements. Many agitations were launched over different issues in which hundreds of youths were killed. The peace of Assam was disturbed & the developed was halted. What is the way forward? Development is the only way forward. Development is happening and will happen further but ideological change is also needed and that can't happen only through development," he said. "There was a time when separatists used to give arms in the hands of the youth in these states (Northeast). Almost all armed groups have joined the mainstream and the startups launched by youth are competing with other startups globally," he pointed out. Over 3,000 artists of various communities greeted Shah after he came out from the Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport shortly after Friday midnight. Braving the cold weather thousands of people, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP's National Vice-President Baijayant Jay Panda, who is also the Assam in-charge for the saffron party, state party President Ranjit Kumar Dass among other leaders received Shah at the airport.

I heartily welcomed Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji at Guwahati airport and thanked him on behalf of the people of Assam as he is set to launch several developmental projects for the state. pic.twitter.com/wHIAcKPqco

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) December 25, 2020

As per reports, Shah, during a meeting with Assam Chief Minister, would review the law and order situation of the state. The Chief Secretary and Director General of Police and senior officials would attend the meeting. Some congress leaders are expected to join BJP during the Shah's visit. Shah would distribute financial grants to 8,000 Namghars (traditional Vaishnavite monasteries of Assam) under the Assam Darshan Programme, laying of the Foundation Stone for the development of 'Batadrava Than' as Cultural and tourist destinations. Home Minister would lay the foundation stone of the New Medical College in Guwahati (the second medical college in the city) and 10 Law Colleges to be established across Assam.