PM’s policies pushing country deeper into crisis, says Priyanka

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pushing the country deeper into crisis by becoming a slave of the United States.

Addressing rallies for the candidates of the Congress and ally Assam Jatiya Parishad in eastern Assam on Wednesday (April 1, 2026), she also said the people of the State were tired of the “mafia and syndicate rule” of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government.

Assembly elections: Follow major developments on April 1, 2026

Ms. Vadra said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was running a “double-slavery government” instead of the much-vaunted double-engine government. “Modiji has become America’s slave, and the country is in a crisis because of his policies. And Himantaji is Modiji’s slave,” she said.

She said the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister show that they work for the people only when they see some benefits for themselves. She added that such “selfishness” created a chain of dependence designed to suppress the people of Assam.

“This double-slavery government is making the people of this beautiful and self-respecting State their slaves,” the Congress leader said, accusing the BJP of threatening to withhold or cancel beneficiary schemes if the people did not attend the rallies of top leaders, including the Prime Minister.

“We want a government that does not threaten or scare you, but serves you, works honestly for you, and strengthens your culture and civilisation,” she said, outlining a series of guarantees if Congress comes to power in Assam. The guarantees include ₹50,000 for women to start a small business and a health insurance cover of up to ₹25 lakh.

Justice for Zubeen

Attacking the Chief Minister, Ms. Vadra said “one family” was looting everything in Assam and handing over the land and resources of the people to corporate houses. She accused the BJP under Mr. Sarma of being neck-deep in various scams.

“The people are tired of the mafia and syndicate rule, paying (goonda) taxes everywhere,” she said.

Ms. Vadra also promised justice for the late Zubeen Garg, who died while swimming off an island in Singapore on September 19, 2025, triggering mass grief in Assam.

She said that a Congress government would deliver justice for the cultural icon within its first 100 days. Later, she refuted the BJP allegation that Congress was politicising his death.

“Seeking justice for a respected figure is a political duty, not opportunism. I don’t think such a tragedy should be politicised, but when people want justice for someone they love and respect, it is our duty as politicians to make every effort to ensure justice,” she said.

The single-phase election to Assam’s 126-member Assembly will be held on April 9. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.