Dibrugarh/Guwahati: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday declared CM Himanta Biswa Sarma will lead BJP in the upcoming Assam assembly elections, while issuing a stern warning that every illegal immigrant in the state will be identified and deported when his party secures a third consecutive term.Addressing a rally in Dibrugarh’s Khanikar playground after inaugurating the second assembly complex, Shah launched a blistering attack on Congress, accusing it of “weaponising illegal migration”. “Congress, for the sake of vote-bank politics and to come to office in Assam, encouraged illegal immigration. They used it as a weapon,” he said, setting the tone for what is expected to be a central campaign theme.The second assembly complex is a Rs 284 crore project scheduled for completion within 30 months, fulfilling Sarma’s 2025 declaration to elevate Dibrugarh’s status. Making an unequivocal pledge, Shah told the gathering, “Today, from the second capital of Assam, I promise that if BJP comes to office for the third time under Sarma, every illegal immigrant will be singled out and thrown out.”Shah credited the state govt with taking decisive steps against encroachment, noting that 1.26 lakh hectares of land occupied by illegal immigrants have been cleared. He praised Sarma for implementing “strong steps against illegal immigrants who had changed Assam’s demographics”. “Encroachers didn’t even spare the birthplace of 15-16th Century Assamese saint-scholar, Srimanta Sankardeva. They entered the forests of Kaziranga and resorted to killing rhinoceros. We have limited resources and rights of the poor are being snatched. Only BJP can stop illegal immigrants,” Shah said. He brought up the recent trade deal with EU, saying tea from Assam will reach 27 European countries at zero tariffs, opening a new chapter for the state’s most famous export.Shah also hit out at Congress’ Rahul Gandhi for refusing to wear a traditional ‘gamosa’ presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a Republic Day event, arguing the move amounted to “disrespecting North-East’s culture”.
