Guwahati, August 29: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Congress in Assam, saying the state should not be led by leaders who “frequently visit Pakistan.” His remarks, widely seen as aimed at Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi, were made during a rally of panchayat representatives in Guwahati.

With Assembly elections scheduled for March-April next year, Shah said leaders who sympathise with infiltrators and illegal encroachers cannot represent Assam.

He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving large-scale development across the country and commended Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for ensuring that development reached every household in Assam.

Shah expressed confidence that the BJP-led NDA would win a third consecutive mandate in the state in the upcoming elections.