Guwahati, Feb 19: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged on Thursday that the Congress government had permitted encroachment on 30 lakh bighas (nearly 10 lakh acres) of forest land during its tenure in the state.

In his final address to the outgoing Assam Assembly, Sarma stated that the BJP government has reclaimed 1.5 lakh bighas through eviction drives. He emphasized that no tribal families’ homes were demolished in the process, and affected families received land pattas instead.

Sarma described the BJP’s efforts as a battle against “Congress legacies” across issues like madrassa reforms, illegal immigration, child marriage, polygamy, and corruption. “Today, Assam is the shining spot of the Indian economy,” he added.

The remarks come ahead of Assam assembly elections scheduled in a few months.