Nagaon, Jan 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday criticized the Congress party over alleged illegal infiltration in Assam and predicted strong public support against the party in the state, following Congress’s electoral defeats in Maharashtra and Bihar.

Speaking at a public rally in Nagaon after laying the foundation stone for the ₹6,950-crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project and flagging off two Amrit Bharat Express trains, Modi said, “The Congress handed over Assam’s soil to infiltrators just to form governments and grab a few votes,” adding that infiltration increased during their decades-long rule. He further claimed that Congress’s nationwide policy is to “save infiltrators and gain power with their help,” citing Bihar as an example where voters rejected the party despite its pro-infiltration stance.

Modi contrasted this with the BJP-led Assam government’s measures against illegal encroachment and infiltration. “Today, we’re safeguarding your land in your interest,” he said, noting recent national mandates favoring good governance and development.

Kaziranga Corridor: Development with Conservation

The Prime Minister highlighted Kaziranga National Park as Assam’s “soul” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, emphasizing that wildlife protection boosts tourism and local livelihoods. He said India demonstrates that development and ecology can coexist.

The 90-km Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, stretching from Kaliabor to Numaligarh with a 35-km elevated wildlife section, aims to protect animals during floods while improving connectivity to upper Assam districts such as Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. Modi also noted that rhino poaching, rampant in 2013-14, has dropped to zero by 2025 due to strengthened security, increased forest department resources, and women’s involvement through the Van Durga initiative.

Modi also flagged off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains: the Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak route and the Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) route, highlighting improvements in Assam’s rail connectivity.