Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that while his government has carried out Operation Sindoor on terror camps in Pakistan, the Congress keeps on "singing to the tune of" the neighbouring country.
On the development front, he alleged that the Congress had always taken a myopic view on the matter, while the BJP works towards ensuring long-term development of the nation.
"The party always took short-term measures so that they could indulge in corruption. But the BJP looks far ahead while taking decisions for all-around development of all sections of society," Modi said.
Addressing an election rally here in Barpeta district, the prime minister alleged that during the 2016 surgical strikes or the 2025 'Operation Sindoor', the Congress has always sung to Pakistan's tune, giving importance to their agenda.
"This Pakistan connection always weighs heavily on the country ('hamesha desh par bhari parta hain'), and we can never allow that," he said.
Modi also accused the Congress of neglecting the Army by refusing to implement the 'One Rank, One Pension' for the veterans for decades. But the BJP government ensured that justice was done to those who protect the nation by giving them this benefit, he said.
"We have so far disbursed Rs 1.24 lakh crore to the bank accounts of former army personnel," the prime minister told the rally.
He said peace was established in Assam after a lot of sacrifices and due to the BJP's honest effort in implementing the peace accords signed during the past 10 years.
"Peace and stability in the state has led to development under the BJP rule..., and for it to continue, it is necessary to keep the Congress out (of power)," the prime minister said.
The past 10 years of NDA rule in the state were marked by establishing peace and protecting its identity, he said, adding that in the future, "we will bring more prosperity to the state and help it make a mark on the global stage".
Wooing the woman voters, Modi said the 33 per cent quota for women in Parliament would be implemented from the 2029 general elections.
"A special session of Parliament has been convened on April 16 to discuss the issue with all parties and take this forward. But some people are trying to spread rumours even about this," he said.
The Budget session of Parliament has been extended for three more days and will reconvene on April 16 after a brief recess, with the Centre planning to bring legislation to raise the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816.
The proposed increase in seats is aimed at facilitating the implementation of the women's reservation law enacted in 2023.
"All states in the country will benefit from this...they have waited 40 years for this, and women in Assam should urge all parties to ensure the Bill's passage," Modi said while reiterating that women's empowerment was his government's top priority.
The prime minister claimed that women are getting the benefits of both Central and state schemes wherever there is a BJP double-engine government.
He accused the Congress of neglecting the tribals when it was in power. "The Congress has helped infiltrators settle in places of worship. But the BJP government is evicting them and giving land documents to the indigenous people of the state."
He also greeted the people on the occasion of the BJP's foundation day with the pledge to make the nation developed and 'Aatmanirbhar' (self-reliant).
"The Congress is now left in a few states, but they do not bring out the report cards of the work done by them. On the other hand, the BJP reaches out to the people with what they have done, particularly for the farmers," he said.
Modi reminded the gathering that in 2013, when the UPA was in power at the Centre, the minimum support price for paddy was Rs 1,300 per quintal, but now it was Rs 2,370 per quintal.
"Farmers' income is increasing, and the BJP is giving it directly to their bank accounts, bypassing the middlemen," he said, adding that it was for this reason the BJP was the first choice of the farmers.
In a bid to strike a local connect, Modi pointed out that Assam's famed 'Joha' rice was now being exported to European countries.
Elections to the 126 assembly constituencies in Assam will be held on April 9, with counting of votes on May 4.