Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Assam of curbing people’s freedom of expression through beneficiary schemes.
Addressing her first election rally at Assam’s Nazira, she said this time the electoral battle is to ensure a state where culture thrives and everyone’s freedom of expression is protected.
“The Assam government is doling out many schemes, including cash transfers to women’s accounts. But they are made to attend BJP’s events, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rallies or the CM’s programmes, and told that the benefits would end if they fail to do so,” Vadra said.
“Women across Assam are troubled over whether they should attend to their household chores, go out to earn a living or attend BJP’s meetings. This is not how schemes are meant to work. It’s your own money that you are getting, and you should get it without losing your freedom,” she added.
Vadra accused the BJP of forcing Congress workers to attend Prime Minister Modi’s events in Assam, alleging they were being taken forcibly and subjected to threats and intimidation.
“The people want a clean and corruption-free government, but only one family is looting everything, and large tracts of land and resources are being handed over to big industrial houses. Assam is now full of scams and syndicates that impose illegal taxes on all essentials,” she said.
The Congress leader also referred to cultural icon Zubeen Garg and said that the party wants to turn the state into one that he dreamt of — strong, developed and where everyone can live with self-respect.
“Modi says that they have a double-engine government, but it’s one of ‘double-ghulami’ (double slavery), and this government wants to turn the self-respecting people of Assam into slaves. It is time for you to raise your heads and bring Congress to power,” said Vadra.
She highlighted the five key promises made in the Congress manifesto, including justice for Zubeen Garg in 100 days, permanent land records for 1 million indigenous people, ₹25 lakh free medical insurance for all families, ₹50,000 to women to start businesses, and ₹1,250 per month for all senior citizens.
Vadra is scheduled to attend two more election meetings in Assam at Tingkhong and Khowang on Wednesday to seek support for candidates from Congress and other parties in the opposition alliance.
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