Nazira/Tingkhong

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that “only one family is looting everything” in Assam while ordinary people continue to struggle despite the state’s rich natural resources.

Addressing election rallies in Nazira and Tingkhong ahead of the Assembly polls, she accused the BJP-led government of fostering corruption and concentrating wealth and power.

Vadra claimed that key resources such as land, mines and public assets were either being “looted” or handed over to large industrialists. She alleged that despite Assam’s wealth in natural and cultural resources, its people were not benefitting.

“Only one family is prospering in Assam, while the people don’t have anything,” she said, without naming individuals.

The Congress leader also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the Centre and the Assam government were operating in a “double-engine” model that, according to her, functioned through “dependence and control”.

She further accused the state government of ruling through “fear and threats”, alleging that beneficiaries of welfare schemes such as Orunodoi were being pressured to attend rallies.

Raising local issues, Vadra pointed to:

Delay in wage hikes for tea garden workers

Pending demands for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for several communities

Alleged lack of justice in high-profile cases

She also referred to late Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, calling him a symbol of unity and alleging that his family had not received justice.

The remarks come amid an intense contest between the ruling BJP-led NDA and the Congress in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. Polling for all 126 seats is scheduled for April 9, with results to be declared on May 4.

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Vadra said the Congress was fighting to “remove fear” and protect Assam’s cultural and social fabric, while promising governance focused on equity and justice.