Priyanka Gandhi Critiques BJP's Welfare Schemes in Assam
Priyanka Gandhi's Visit to Assam
File image of Priyanka Gandhi during a visit to Assam (Photo: @ManjitRahul/X)
Guwahati, April 1: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made her second trip to Assam within 39 days, where she strongly criticized the current BJP administration. She accused the government of misusing women-focused welfare initiatives to compel beneficiaries to participate in political events.
Upon her arrival at Mohanbari Airport in Dibrugarh, she traveled to Nazira in the Sivasagar district to support Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia.
During her speech in this historic town, she asserted that women throughout the state are being pressured to attend rallies featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
“Whether it’s the Prime Minister’s event or the Chief Minister’s, women are being coerced to show up or face removal from beneficiary lists. In every household, women are caught in a dilemma: should they handle daily tasks, work in tea gardens for income, or attend these rallies? This is not the intended purpose of welfare schemes,” she stated.
Vadra highlighted that welfare programs should serve the public good and not be manipulated for political gain.
“This is taxpayer money. It does not belong to the Chief Minister or the government. Citizens have the right to access it freely, without any strings attached,” she emphasized.
She expressed concern for tea garden laborers, noting that their wages have not improved significantly despite previous assurances.
“When I visited Nazira previously, locals informed me that their wages were quite low. The BJP promised Rs 300–350, yet workers report only a slight increase,” she remarked.
Additionally, she criticized the government for not granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to various tribal and Adivasi groups. “This promise is made every election cycle, yet after five years in power, there has been no action. It shows a lack of commitment,” she stated.
Vadra also warned that fuel prices might rise post-elections.
“It’s election season now, but once the votes are counted, petrol prices will likely go up. People deserve a government that doesn’t instill fear. Assam aspires for a progressive and fearless future,” she declared.
In her remarks about Prime Minister Modi, she accused him of compromising national interests.
“They talk about a ‘double-engine government’, but what we witness is ‘double servitude’. The Prime Minister has become subservient to America, and Assam’s leadership is following suit,” she alleged.
Wrapping up her address, Vadra called on the public to uphold their dignity and strive for a brighter future for the state.
“The Assam envisioned by Zubeen Garg—a corruption-free place brimming with opportunities for future generations—is attainable if the people unite for change,” she concluded.