Asserting that the Centre was working to minimise the impacts of global conflicts on the people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (March 14, 2026) alleged that the Opposition Congress was acting “irresponsibly” by trying to create panic in the country.
Addressing a public meeting in Assam’s Silchar after unveiling projects worth over ₹23,550 crore, Modi alleged that the Congress had ignored the development of the Northeast for decades, and allowed such a drawing of a border during Independence that cut off Barak Valley’s access to the sea.
“As the world is facing wars, our effort is to minimise their impact on the people of the country. The Congress should have performed the role of a responsible political party, but it failed to do so. It is trying to create panic among the people,” he alleged.
“They do not have any vision either for Assam or the nation, but only know how to abuse Modi, spread rumours, lies, and create false reels to mislead people,” he claimed.
Mr. Modi also took on the Congress over its shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi last month, accusing the party of defaming the nation.
“The entire world is interested in AI, and the successful summit in Delhi was attended by global leaders, tech companies and their heads. But, the Congress tried to embarrass the country by indulging in a ‘kapda phar’ (tearing of clothes) exhibition,” he said.
Mr,. Modi said the entire country condemned “this vulgar” protest, but the “royal family of the Congress” is “patting themselves on the back”.
“Congress is left with nothing but to tear its own clothes,” he added.
Alleging that the Congress engages in activities that are against the nation’s interest, the Prime Minister said it can never ensure the welfare of the people of any state.
“Congress is losing one election after another, and in the near future, the party will hit a century of its losses. The despair of its losses has led it to open a front against the nation, and its leaders are busy defaming the country,” he said.
Mr. Modi alleged that the Congress kept the Northeast away from both “dil (heart) and Delhi”, ensuring that development did not reach the region’s people, leaving them mired in violence and backwardness.
“Just as the Congress left the North-East on its own, in a similar way, it played a major role in weakening Barak Valley. When India became Independent, Congress allowed a border to be drawn that cut off Barak Valley’s access to the sea,” he alleged.
“Barak Valley, which was once known as an industrial centre, was stripped of its very strength. For decades after Independence, Congress governments remained in power, yet the region saw little development. Today, the BJP government is working to change that,” he added.
Mr. Modi said connectivity is being developed in the Barak Valley to link it to other parts of the Northeast and West Bengal.
“It will be developed as a big logistics and trade hub of the region,” he said, noting that Barak Valley is also at the centre of the government’s Act East Policy and will be a bridge connecting India with Southeast Asia.
The Prime Minister alleged that the Congress misguided Assam’s youth into paths of violence and terrorism, while the BJP has ensured the state becomes a place of unlimited opportunities where they can reach for the sky.
“Where Congress stops thinking, we start working,” he said, noting that the BJP’s mantra is to give priority to those left behind in development.
Referring to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr. Modi said he represented Assam for 10 years but did not give a single paise to farmers of the State, whereas the BJP has given them more than ₹20,000 crore.
At the programme, the Prime Minister took part in the ‘bhoomi poojan’ for the ₹22,864-crore access-controlled expressway between Silchar in Cachar district and Shillong in Meghalaya, the first of its kind in the Northeast.
The 166-km four-lane greenfield high-speed corridor will reduce the distance between Guwahati and Silchar from 295 km to 252 km, cutting travel time from 8.5 hours to around 5 hours, officials said.
Mr. Modi also took part in the ‘bhoomi poojan’ for an elevated corridor on NH-306, from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point in Silchar, which will be constructed at ₹565 crore.
This project aims to alleviate congestion on one of Silchar’s busiest roads, improve links with neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur, and contribute to the economic development of the Barak Valley, officials said.
The PM also laid the foundation stone for the ₹122-crore College of Agriculture at Patharkandi in Karimganj district.
These are part of projects worth ₹47,800 crore that the Prime Minister unveiled in the State since Friday.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal were among those present at the programme.
Published – March 14, 2026 02:29 pm IST
