PM Ends NE Outreach With Assam Rally; Visits West Bengal, Bihar Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Assam, currently ruled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition, was facing a demographic challenge due to the Congress' backing of infiltrators for votes.

- ARCHIS MOHAN

"The Assam government is evicting encroachers, and providing deprived people land rights," he said while addressing a rally in Assam's Numaligarh town in Golaghat district.

"We are taking steps for the welfare of tribals, who were neglected during the Congress rule," he added.

The ruling BJP-led coalition in the state has sought to make infiltration and demographic change in Assam, which is slated to go to polls in April next year, a key plank.

The PM's Assam visit is part of his outreach to the northeast. The September 13-15 tour began with him visiting Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, followed by strife-torn Manipur later in the day on Saturday. He will conclude the three-day tour of five states with his visit to poll-bound Bihar's Purnea on Monday afternoon after a scheduled halt in West Bengal.