PM Modi speaking during a public event in Barpeta, Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress during election rallies in Assam, accusing the opposition party of associating itself with the Pakistan narrative, indulging in corruption and failing to fulfill development promises.Addressing a rally in Barpeta district, PM Modi said while his government launched “Operation Sindoor” on terror camps in Pakistan, the Congress continued to “sing in the tune” of the neighboring country.He further alleged that the Congress had reiterated Pakistan’s stand during the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2025 “Operation Sindoor”.He said, “This Pakistan connection always has a heavy share on the country (‘always has a heavy share on the country’), and we can never allow this.”The Prime Minister also accused the Congress of adopting a short-term approach to governance.PM Modi said, “The party has always taken short-term steps so that they can indulge in corruption. But the BJP looks far ahead in taking decisions for the all-round development of all sections of the society.”He criticized the opposition for not implementing the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme for decades. “We have so far distributed Rs 1.24 lakh crore in the bank accounts of ex-army personnel,” he said.PM Modi also targeted the Congress leadership, accusing it of corruption and dynasty politics. “The first family of the Congress is the most corrupt in the country, involved in large-scale scams and currently out on bail,” he said.Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s “mohabbat ki dukaan” comment, the PM said Congress represents “mithya ki dukaan” (shop of lies) and “apmaan” (insult).He also raised questions on the governance record of the Congress in the states where it is in power, adding, “Development has happened due to peace and stability in the state under the BJP rule and for that to continue, it is necessary to keep the Congress out (from power).”The Prime Minister further said that the minimum support price of paddy has increased from Rs 1,300 per quintal in 2013 to Rs 2,370 currently, and highlighted the direct benefit transfer to farmers.He also informed that ‘Joha’ rice of Assam is now being exported to European countries.Meanwhile, at another rally in Hojai, the Prime Minister focused on global growth and the impact of fuel prices, and cautioned voters against Congress.The Prime Minister said, “Despite such a big global crisis, the prices of petrol and diesel were not allowed to increase in the country. But in Himachal, the Congress government increased the prices of petrol and diesel. This means that before the elections, this royal family talks about giving relief to the people, but after the elections, they put the people in trouble. Therefore, every family of Assam will have to be very careful of them.”Referring to the situation in West Asia, he said that the government is working to protect the citizens from its influence.He said, “There are problems all over the world due to the Middle East crisis. But even during this global crisis, the BJP government is working in the interest of the citizens. Our priority has been that the burden of the global crisis does not fall on the poor, middle class and farmers and this remains our priority even today.”PM Modi also raised the issue of infiltration and linked it to identity and security. “The problem of infiltration is linked to livelihood, identity and security. BJP-NDA is trying to save Assam from population imbalance. Every vote given to BJP will help in keeping out infiltrators and protecting the identity of Assam,” he said.Voting for all 126 assembly seats in Assam will be held in a single phase on April 9 and counting of votes will take place on May 4.