Assam has recorded the highest death of minority people in the country during the 15 years of Congress rule.
Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said this on Monday in a public rally at Jania in Barpeta district.
Sarma added that communal clashes erupt whenever Congress comes to power.
“If you see the history across the country, you will see that highest number of minority people died in Assam during the 15-year-rule of Congress,” said Sarma.
Congress was in power in Assam for three consecutive terms—since 2001 to 2016 under the leadership of then chief minister Tarun Gogoi.
Sarma was, however, a part of the government during the period and held important portfolios in the cabinet of Gogoi.
Sarma was campaigning for BJP candidate Toufiqur Rahman at Jania, a religious minority dominated constituency.
“The Congress frightens the minority people and gets votes. It is only during the tenure of the Congress that communal clashes took place in Assam. Congress creates fear and rule the people,” he said.
He said that people have already seen what was done by the Congress.
“Badruddin Ajmal-led All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) is not an option because they are doing politics in the name of religion,” Sarma said.
He appealed to the people to vote for the BJP candidate who can only develop the constituency.
“The Congress and AIUDF have only been using the minority people as vote bank. The people of Jania must find an alternative,” Sarma said.
He said Abdul Khaleq of the Congress had represented the constituency for a long time but did not do anything for the development.
“As there is a BJP government at the state and Centre, only BJP government can provide the necessary relief to the people of Jania from issues like erosion, floods, lack of development etc,” said the minister.
Assam BJP president Ranjit Kumar Dass, while speaking in the meeting said the BJP will win all the four seats– Jania, Sonari, Rangapara and Ratabari–which are going to bypolls on October 21.
He said the party will win over 90 seats in the 2021 assembly polls in the state.