Amit Shah Launches Healthcare Projects in Assam, Slams Congress Over Infiltrators
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused the Congress party of transforming Assam into a "safe haven for infiltrators" while inaugurating a series of significant healthcare projects in the state. His remarks came just hours before the Election Commission announced the schedule for the upcoming assembly elections, adding a sharp political edge to the event.
Shah's Allegations Against Congress and Rahul Gandhi
In a strongly worded address, Shah alleged that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had opposed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls specifically because "names of infiltrators were being removed" from the lists. The Home Minister asserted that every infiltrator would ultimately have to leave the country, reinforcing the government's stance on immigration issues.
Shah further targeted Rahul Gandhi over his "chai-pakoda" protest on Parliament steps and criticized Congress's demonstration at the recent Artificial Intelligence Summit. He claimed such actions had "defamed India globally" and accused the opposition of deliberately damaging the nation's international image.
Healthcare Achievements and Project Launches
Contrasting the current administration with previous governments, Shah alleged that Congress regimes had siphoned off approximately Rs 150 crore annually from the health budget during their 15-year tenure in Assam. He highlighted the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) expansion of medical infrastructure as a counterpoint to these claims.
The Union Minister inaugurated and launched healthcare projects with a total value of Rs 2,092 crore, including:
- Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati
- Cancer care centers in Golaghat and Tinsukia (opened virtually)
- Foundation stones laid for super-speciality hospitals in Diphu, Jorhat, and Barpeta
- Announcement of a Swasthya Bhawan in Guwahati
- New district hospital in Abhayapuri
Improvements in Health Indicators and Peace Accords
Citing substantial improvements in key health metrics, Shah noted higher institutional delivery rates and better infant and maternal mortality indicators in Assam. He credited Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with elevating the state's healthcare system to "on par with Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka."
Shah also highlighted the successful peace accords signed with insurgent groups, including the Bodo Accord in 2020 and the ULFA agreement in 2024. He revealed that more than 10,800 weapons had been surrendered as a result of these agreements, effectively bringing an end to decades of militancy in the region.
Political Rally and Election Predictions
At the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha's (BJYM) Yuva Shakti Samaroh, which was attended by over 1.5 lakh youths, Shah described the gathering as a "Mahakumbh of Yuvas" (great congregation of youth). He confidently predicted that the BJP would secure the "largest-ever mandate" in Assam during the forthcoming assembly elections, signaling strong political optimism for his party's prospects in the state.
