Assam: Sonowal slams Congress, "vows" to uphold Assamese rights

DIBRUGARH: Union Minister and former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal criticized the opposition citing the "inability to offer constructive solutions", instead resorting to misleading rhetoric.

Sonowal claimed that since the era of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress has given Assam and the Northeast minimal support to prosperity or security, neglecting the welfare of its people.

The union minister claimed that there were atrocities inflicted upon the Assamese during Congress rule, accusing the party of instigating divisions within the Assamese society and fuelling violent conflicts.

Sonowal came down heavily on Congress for the brutal suppression of movements such as the Assam movement.

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He further questioned the credibility of the opposition, which has aligned with Congress, to secure anything but the rights of Assamese.

Addressing the rally at Tingkhang, the BJP candidate contesting from the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Congress imposed the draconian IMDT Act on the people of Assam only, not the whole country. CAA is an all-India act, unlike IMDT which was passed by Congress to compromise the security of Assamese."

He added, "The Congress government has jeopardised the interests of indigenous ‘Khilonjiya’ people in pursuit of power, relying on the support of non-citizens. Any objections to CAA can be legally contested, as evidenced by ongoing appeals to the Supreme Court."

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"The government welcomes such challenges and is prepared to abide by the court's ruling, whatever it may be. However, those who persist in sowing confusion among the populace will be held accountable to the public in due course", Sonowal added.

Criticising the opposition further, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Congress-led Opposition don’t deserve a response about my identity as an Asomiya. I am an Asomiya by heart, by spirit, by work. I am an Asomiya by heart, by spirit, by work. Challenging the oppressive IMDT Act by Congress, I took the battle against this Act to the Supreme Court without hesitation. Throughout the six-year struggle, I never wavered in my resolve. Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled the act discriminatory against Assam. Despite being part of the same nation, the Congress subjected the Assamese people as second-class citizens."

He further claimed that his aspirations extend beyond merely holding political positions like MLA or MP.

"My foremost duty is to advocate for the national issues of Assam. Protecting the rights and interests of the Assamese people remains my paramount objective, regardless of the position I hold”, Sonowal claimed.