Kamrup (Assam) [India], April 3 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday accused the Nehru-Gandhi family of 'never having good feelings for Assam,' recalling former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's remarks during the 1962 Chinese aggression.

Addressing a gathering in the rally here, Shah asserted that no one can seize even an inch of Assam's land and highlighted the BJP government's development and peace initiatives in the state.

'The Gandhi family, the Nehru family, they have never had good feelings for Assam. In 1962, when China attacked, Jawaharlal Nehru said 'tata-bye-bye' to Assam. Is Assam your father's property? Today I am saying, no one can seize even an inch of Assam's land. This is India's Assam. Brothers and sisters, the state president here is accused of having relations with an enemy nation of India. He says nothing. In 60 years, Congress built three bridges,' Shah said.

'In 10 years, the BJP built Asia's largest bridges, the longest bridges in Assam. Four have been built, and two are under construction. Our policy has been 'Approach Assam', 'Aspire Assam', and 'Inspire Assam',' he added.

Shah said that the BJP government worked to bring peace to Assam through 13 agreements and has liberated Batadrava Than.

'We have worked to bring peace to Assam through 13 agreements. We have liberated Batadrava Than. We have worked to liberate the forests of Kaziranga. We have made Charaideo Maidam a world heritage centre. In Sarusajai Stadium, 11,000 artists performed the Bihu dance together. And we have worked to take the culture of Assam forward,' he added.

Shah targeted the Congress over its alleged soft stance on infiltrators, claiming that under the previous regime, the state had been 'surrendered' to them.

'The Congress government had surrendered this very Assam into the hands of infiltrators. These infiltrators are seizing the land belonging to the poor people of Assam. They have encroached upon the forests of Kaziranga. They are snatching away employment opportunities from our youth. Over the last ten years, the BJP has liberated 1 lakh 50 thousand acres of land from infiltrators across significant parts of Assam. Elect a BJP government here once again, and the BJP government will undertake the task of liberating the entirety of Assam from infiltrators. Make Himanta Biswa Sarma the CM once more, and we will carry out the task of rooting out every single infiltrator,' he added.

On infrastructure and education, Shah criticised the Congress for opposing the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Palasbari, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had brought to benefit Assamese youth.

'We must ensure that the BJP wins all six seats in Kamrup, and that a BJP government is formed for the third time. However, this time, we must form a BJP government by crossing the ninety-seat mark. When PM Modi brought the IIM to Palasbari, his objective was to ensure that the youth of Palasbari and Assam could study at the IIM. Yet, the Congress party is opposing the IIM. The Congress party actively worked to obstruct the bill for the Palasbari IIM,' he added.

Assam is set to go into single-phase elections on April 9 on 126 seats across the state.

The BJP, in alliance with Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front, aims to retain power for the third consecutive time. On the other hand, Congress is challenging the BJP-led alliance with a six-party bloc including Congress, Assam Jati Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal, CPI(M), CPI(ML), and the All Party Hill Leaders Conference.

The counting of votes will take place on May 4. (ANI)