In a significant political development in Dibrugarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday unequivocally declared that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will spearhead the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign for the upcoming Assam assembly elections. Simultaneously, Shah issued a firm warning that every single illegal immigrant in the state would be identified and deported once his party secures a third consecutive term in office.
Rally Address at Khanikar Playground
Addressing a massive public gathering at the Khanikar Playground after inaugurating the second state assembly complex in Dibrugarh, Shah launched a blistering critique against the Congress party. He accused the opposition of weaponising illegal migration purely for electoral advantages, stating that Congress had actively encouraged illegal immigration to build vote banks and seize power in Assam.
"Congress, for the sake of vote-bank politics, encouraged illegal immigration to come to power in Assam," Shah asserted, setting a confrontational tone for the impending electoral battle.
Unwavering Commitment Against Infiltration
From what he termed the "second capital of Assam," Shah made a solemn promise to the assembled crowd. "Today, I promise that if the BJP government comes to power for the third time under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, every illegal immigrant will be singled out and thrown out of Assam," he declared emphatically.
Shah credited the current state administration with taking decisive actions against encroachment, highlighting that approximately 1.26 lakh hectares of land occupied by illegal immigrants have already been reclaimed. He specifically praised Chief Minister Sarma for implementing robust measures against those who have altered the population demographics of Assam through unlawful entry.
Multi-Dimensional Threat of Illegal Immigration
The Union Home Minister portrayed illegal immigration as a complex and pervasive threat with far-reaching consequences. He warned that it has not only distorted demographic patterns but also compromised national security, strained economic resources, and even endangered wildlife.
"The illegal immigrants have not only changed the demographic graph but also compromised the country's security," Shah remarked. He further illustrated the severity by noting, "Encroachers didn't even spare the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva and even entered the forests of Kaziranga, resorting to killing rhinoceros."
Direct Appeal to Assam's Voters
Shah made a passionate appeal directly to the electorate, cautioning that if the people of Assam do not halt the demographic transformation caused by illegal immigrants, the state will confront enormous challenges in the near future. "It's only the BJP that can stop the illegal immigrants, and no one else," he claimed, positioning his party as the sole effective bulwark against infiltration.
He also underscored the economic ramifications, arguing that illegal immigrants are depriving legitimate residents of vital resources. "We have limited resources, and the rights of poor people are being snatched by illegal immigrants," Shah added, framing the issue in socio-economic terms.
Contrasting Governance Approaches
Drawing a sharp distinction between the BJP's stance and that of previous administrations, Shah asserted that under prime ministers before Narendra Modi, Assam's borders remained open for illegal migration. However, since Modi's government assumed office and BJP chief ministers like Sarbananda Sonowal and Himanta Biswa Sarma took charge, illegal immigration has been effectively curtailed.
Shah clarified that while new entries may have been stemmed, the focus now shifts decisively to those already present within the state. "Those who have already entered wouldn't be spared. The BJP government will identify and drive away such illegal immigrants," he reinforced.
Address at Mising Youth Festival in Dhemaji
Later, while addressing the closing ceremony of the 10th Mising Youth Festival at Kareng Chapori in Dhemaji, Shah reiterated his appeal to voters to support the BJP in the forthcoming elections to liberate the state from infiltration. He highlighted alarming statistics, noting that the population of infiltrators had surged to 64 lakh from virtually nothing, with infiltrators becoming a majority in seven districts.
Shah urged the public to rally behind Himanta Biswa Sarma, stating, "If you want to stop infiltration in Assam, then elect the BJP government for a third term and strengthen the hands of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma." He reminded the audience that two consecutive BJP state governments in Assam have already freed 1.26 lakh acres of land from encroachment by infiltrators, showcasing tangible progress.
