New Delhi: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, participated in the BJP's wall painting initiative, drawing the party’s symbol lotus in Guwahati's Jyotikuchi area on Sunday. Sonowal was joined by enthusiastic party workers and locals as the minister contributed to the artwork amidst cheers for ‘Ek Bar Phir Se Modi Sarkar.’


During the event, Union Minister Sonowal emphasised the transformative leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the nation's departure from an era of “inefficient, inept, and corrupt governance” under the Congress. He stressed that India, under Modi's leadership, is poised to ascend to the ranks of the world's top three economies.


Sonowal criticised the Congress for its focus on “serving one family” at the expense of the nation, asserting that their promises of poverty alleviation remained hollow. He credited the Modi-led government for restoring India's confidence and progress, facilitating the upliftment of 25 crore Indians from poverty in the past decade.


“People of India suffered due to Congress’s obsession to please one family at the cost of everything, as their ‘Garibi Hatao’ chants were mere optics. Due to their corrupt and inefficient governance, India could not come out of its poverty, despite being one of the most promising economies in the world. Since 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India regained its lost confidence as it cruised towards becoming an ‘Atmanirbhar’ nation at the end of the ‘Amrit Kaal’,” Sonowal said.


Regarding the northeastern region, Sonowal noted its historical neglect until PM Modi assumed office in 2014. He lamented the region's struggle for recognition and development, attributing its newfound stability and growth to the Centre’s initiatives. Sonowal highlighted the significant reduction in insurgency and the region's integration into the national mainstream.


The Union Minister also lauded PM Modi's frequent visits to the northeast, stressing the government's commitment to the region's prosperity.


He expressed confidence in PM Modi's popularity and predicted a landslide victory in the upcoming elections, echoing the BJP’s electoral catchphrase, “Ab Ki Baar, 400 Paar”.


(The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.)