Ahead of the Assam election in April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his five-day public meetings in the state on Saturday. He started with a rally in Tinsukia where Modi emphasised on the need for development in Assam and talked about bringing Assam back to its glory days.
Here are a few highlights from his speech:
Gogoi thinks my fight in Assam is with him. My fight is not with Gogoi, it is with poverty.
For 60 years, you expected Congress to bring change in Assam. Give me just 5 years. BJP will remove Assam out of this time of crisis.
After these elections, Assam will get a young CM. Sarvanand will become the new CM.
Assam election is a personal loss for me because I've to send one of the most capable ministers Sarbanand Sonowal for campaigning.
Assam was one of the most prosperous states at the time of Independence. Today, it is one of the poorest states.
I have just 3 agendas in Assam: development, fast-paced development and all-round development.
When I was a tea-seller, it was Assam tea I sold which refreshed people, I owe a debt to Assam for that.
Situation in Assam will change if three things are done- education for poorest, income to youths and medicines to old.
Later on Saturday he will go on to rally in Majuli and Bihpuria. He urged the people to give the BJP a chance to rule the state for next five years and asked them to question what the current Congress government has done in the last 15 years of its rule.
"The people of Assam have the right to ask the government where their money went," he said. He announced that his party aimed at providing "education to the poor, employment to the youth and medicines to the senior citizens".
According to Hindustan Times, he will become the first Prime Minister to visit Majuli, an island located in between river Brahmaputra and Lohit.
He is also scheduled to address rallies at Rangapara and Karimganj on Sunday.
BJP's chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal is contesting from Majuli assembly constituency.
Assam will vote in two phases on 4 April and 11 April.
The BJP is contesting on 91 of 126 assembly constituencies of the state leaving 24 seats for Asom Gana Parishad and rest for Bodo People's Front and other smaller parties.
