Senior Congress leader Ripun Bora has strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Assam, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party government uses the state only for electoral benefit and favours big corporate groups.
Speaking to reporters in Diphu, Bora said the Prime Minister should treat all citizens equally, but instead sees Assam as an opportunity for exploitation. He claimed that lands belonging to the Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao and Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) communities were handed over to corporate houses, naming the Adani and Ambani groups.
“This is a grave injustice. BJP only seeks votes from Assam,” Bora said. He went on to say that the Prime Minister visits the state when the situation is favourable but stays away when people suffer. 
Bora also expressed disappointment that the Prime Minister did not mention the recent death of popular singer Zubeen Garg in his public address. He said this silence showed how little the government values the emotions of the people of Assam.
Responding to remarks from BJP leaders that the Congress is anti-India, Bora said the allegation was baseless. He stated that the Congress party led India’s freedom struggle and protected national unity, while accusing the present government of weakening democratic institutions.
He criticised what he said was the Centre’s failure to protect Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, even while extending protection to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to Bora, claims of India being a “world guru” were meaningless if basic responsibilities toward citizens were not met.
Bora was in Diphu as part of the party’s ongoing public outreach ahead of the upcoming elections. Under the theme “Raijor Podulit Raijor Congress”, he interacted with residents in Diphu town, visited the weekly market and met representatives of several national organisations based in the district.
