Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off two Amrit Bharat trains during the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, in Nagaon on January 18, 2026.
| Photo Credit: ANI
GUWAHATI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday (January 18, 2026), cited the outcome of the Bihar Assembly election and the Mumbai civic polls to claim that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has become the first choice of the people in the country.
After laying the foundation stone for the ₹6,957 crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor and virtually flagging off two Amrit Bharat trains from poll-bound Assam’s Kaliabor, he also said that the Congress party has lost the trust of the nation.
The country has shown a growing faith and trust in the BJP in recent months, Mr. Modi said. “In the Bihar elections, even after 20 years, people helped the BJP win a record number of seats. The results of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation election were announced two days ago. For the first time, Mumbai gave the BJP a record mandate. People allowed the BJP to serve them in most other cities of Maharashtra,” he said.
Consistent national trend
The Prime Minister said the results across States — including in Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram, where the BJP secured the mayor’s post for the first time — reflected a consistent national trend. “The voters today want good governance and development. That is why they like the BJP,” he said.
“The results have also shown that the voters are repeatedly rejecting the negative politics of Congress,” he added.
He asserted that the Congress has lost the country’s trust due to its lack of a development agenda. “Congress took the fourth or fifth spot in Mumbai, where it was born. It has shrunk significantly in Maharashtra, which it has ruled for years,” Mr. Modi pointed out.
“Pro-infiltrators”
He accused the Congress of handing over Assam’s land to infiltrators and helping them encroach on large swathes of land, with no concern for Assam’s history, culture, or faith. These infiltrators have been disturbing the State’s demographic balance, he said.
Mr. Modi lauded the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government for effectively tackling infiltration and freeing forests, and historical and cultural sites from encroachment.
He also praised the State’s NDA government for stopping rhino poaching in Kaziranga National Park, the “soul of Assam” and a “priceless jewel of India’s country” that he accused the Congress of neglecting.
The 86-km-long Kaziranga Elevated Corridor is a four-lane National Highway project. It includes 35 km of an elevated wildlife corridor that will pass through the park.
“The elevated wildlife corridor will ensure uninterrupted movement of animals and reduce human-wildlife conflict. It will also enhance road safety, reduce travel time and accident rates, and support growing passenger and freight traffic,” an official statement said.
Published – January 18, 2026 07:34 pm IST
