Senior leader of the Indian National Congress Pawan Khera on March 15 accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of avoiding Assam during times of crisis while visiting the state only during elections. Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan, Khera said, “Narendra Modi does not come to Assam during the difficult times of the Assamese people; he comes only to seek votes during elections.”
Khera made the remarks in reference to Modi’s recent two-day visit to the state, linking it to reports of fuel shortages and long queues for LPG cylinders in several parts of the country. He alleged that seeking votes during such circumstances reflected political opportunism.
He further criticised the prime minister, stating that Modi avoids visiting Assam during floods and also stayed away from Manipur when there were no elections approaching. According to Khera, large pre-election announcements such as projects worth Rs 24,000 crore tend to fade away once elections are over. Responding to Modi’s “zero” remark against the Congress, Khera claimed that such funds ultimately benefit the BJP’s political allies.
Khera also rejected Modi’s allegation that Congress leaders function like puppets, instead accusing the prime minister of acting under external influence. Referring to the alleged Epstein files controversy, he said Modi appeared to be under pressure from the United States.
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP government over rising LPG prices, noting that the party had earlier staged protests against fuel price hikes. He alleged that a recent increase of ₹63 in LPG prices had been ignored by the BJP and claimed that black-market sales of cylinders were taking place in Delhi.
Speaking about Assam’s tea industry, Khera said the globally recognised tea sector—developed during Congress rule—was in decline and questioned why tea garden workers had not yet been granted Scheduled Tribe status.
“No one can stop Congress from exposing the true face of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP,” Khera declared. “Congress is not sitting quietly to please Modi by singing lullabies and speaking sweet words.” He also expressed confidence that voters in Assam would vote out the BJP government in the upcoming elections. “The people of Assam have decided to uproot the BJP government from the state this time.”
Khera also strongly criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, referring to him as “Bhrasht Sarma” and accusing him of continuously spreading falsehoods. He claimed Sarma was unfit to hold the office of chief minister and suggested that his final month in the post had already begun.
Responding to alleged threats of arrest, Khera said the Congress was not intimidated. He stated that the party had faced both the British colonial administration and the Sangh in the past.
He also dismissed concerns about party members leaving after being denied election tickets, describing it as a normal political occurrence. Khera further mocked Sarma for allegedly interfering in the selection of candidates, claiming that internal divisions were growing within the BJP.
In a lighter remark, he said that if the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were under Congress control, Sarma would reform overnight, adding that there would be no return for corrupt leaders.
The press conference was also attended by several leaders of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), including Mahima Singh, Hafiz Abbas, Amit Sihag, Bedabrat Bora, Rituparna Konwar and Gopal Sharma.
