'I am a Chaiwala; I understand tea garden workers’ problems': PM Modi in Assam

Dibrugarh: “I am a chaiwala, and if I do not understand the problems of tea garden workers, then who will think about them?” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday while laying the foundation stone of the new Ammonia–Urea Fertiliser Plant at Namrup.

Modi said that tea garden workers living in Assam for decades were denied land rights and neglected by the previous Congress governments. “But we have thought about the tea garden workers and provided land rights to them. Now, tea garden workers can live a dignified life,” he asserted.

Targeting the Congress, the Prime Minister said that for vote-bank politics the party supports illegal immigrants and opposes firm action against them. “The Congress criticised the SIR process to shield illegal immigrants and strengthen its vote bank,” Modi said.

He added, “The Congress has been indulging in anti-national activities and has always criticised our work. Now, they are helping illegal Bangladeshis for vote-bank politics. But I assure you that the BJP stands firmly against illegal immigration.”

Continuing his criticism, Modi said the Congress ignored the people and failed to work for their welfare during its rule.

With the Assam Assembly elections scheduled for 2026, the BJP has intensified its preparations and begun organising rallies across the state.