Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of treating Bangladeshi infiltrators as a "vote bank" while ignoring the threat they pose to Assam’s people, land, and cultural identity.
Addressing a large public gathering after inaugurating the redeveloped Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva Abirbhav Kshetra at Batadrawa Than in Nagaon district, Shah asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is committed to identifying and eliminating all illegal immigrants in Assam and across India.
Shah drew a sharp contrast between the approach of the Congress and that of the BJP-led government at the Centre. He alleged that the Congress had consistently turned a blind eye to the dangers posed by illegal infiltrators for electoral gains.
"Congress has consistently treated infiltrators who have threatened the people, culture, and identity of Assam as a vote bank," Shah said. He emphasized that the BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was determined to safeguard the interests of the indigenous Assamese people.
The Home Minister outlined the multifaceted threat posed by illegal immigration, stating it endangered not only the region’s economy and resources but also its distinct cultural fabric.
Shah highlighted the steps taken by the Modi government since 2014, including the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). He framed these measures as part of a broader commitment to protect Assam’s identity.
"The Modi government has not only ensured the protection of the cultural identity of the Assamese people but also focused on the all-around development of the state," Shah said, listing infrastructure projects and welfare schemes initiated in the region.
With political eyes already turning toward the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, Shah made a direct appeal to the people. He positioned the next electoral battle as crucial for the state’s future security and prosperity.
"Give us another five years, and we will make Assam infiltrator-free, ensuring the security, prosperity, and cultural pride of its people," he pledged, seeking a renewed mandate for the BJP.
The issue of illegal immigration has been a politically sensitive and dominant theme in Assam for decades. Shah’s speech is seen as a clear attempt to reinforce the BJP’s stance on this core issue ahead of the state polls.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have previously criticized the CAA and the NRC process, arguing that the CAA undermines the Assam Accord of 1985. They are likely to counter Shah’s allegations by accusing the BJP of politicizing migration and failing to deliver on its promise of a flawless NRC.
As the debate intensifies, Shah’s strong remarks in Nagaon have set the stage for a fiercely contested election where questions of identity, citizenship, and national security are expected to be central themes.
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