Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Criticizes Congress Over Illegal Immigration in Assam

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has accused the Congress party of facilitating illegal Bangladeshi immigration in Assam, claiming it has hindered the state's progress. He praised the BJP government's development initiatives and eviction campaigns aimed at protecting indigenous lands. Home Minister Amit Shah echoed these sentiments, criticizing Congress for its alleged leniency towards immigrants and emphasizing the BJP's commitment to reclaiming land for the local population. As Assam approaches its Assembly elections, both leaders are urging voters to support the BJP for continued development and security in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 4, 2026, 18:23 IST

Allegations Against Congress Regarding Illegal Immigration

On Saturday, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal accused the Congress party of facilitating the influx of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants into Assam, hindering the state's development. Speaking ahead of the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, Sonowal highlighted the transformative initiatives undertaken by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, which he claims have led to unprecedented changes in the region. He praised the eviction drives led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's administration, asserting that these efforts have successfully ensured constitutional protection for indigenous communities.

Congress's Historical Neglect of Assam

Sonowal stated that Congress has never prioritized Assam's progress, resulting in significant underdevelopment during their 55 years in power. In contrast, he noted that the BJP has brought remarkable advancements through various development projects over the last decade. He accused the Congress party of settling illegal immigrants in Assam by providing them land in different districts. Furthermore, he mentioned that under Sarma's leadership, the BJP government has successfully conducted eviction campaigns on 150,000 bighas of land, preserving the ancestral lands of the indigenous people.

Home Minister Amit Shah's Remarks on Illegal Immigration

On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also criticized Congress for its alleged leniency towards illegal immigrants, claiming that the previous government had surrendered Assam to these intruders. Shah pointed out that these immigrants are encroaching on the lands of the poor in Assam and have invaded the Kaziranga forests, depriving local youth of job opportunities. He emphasized that in the past ten years, the BJP has reclaimed 150,000 acres of land from illegal immigrants in crucial areas of Assam. He urged voters to re-elect the BJP government, promising to eradicate every illegal immigrant from the state.

A Call for Continued BJP Leadership

During a rally, Shah asserted that no one can take even an inch of land from Assam and highlighted the development and peace initiatives of the BJP government. He criticized the Gandhi and Nehru families for their lack of affection towards Assam, recalling that during the 1962 Chinese invasion, Jawaharlal Nehru abandoned Assam. Shah declared, "Assam is not your family's property. Today, I assert that no one can take even an inch of land from Assam. This is India's Assam."