Guwahati, Feb 19 — Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal told The Assam Tribune that the Government of India has spent Rs 5.2 lakh crore over the past ten years on the development of Assam, and credited the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with restoring peace and driving visible progress across the state.
Sonowal said the previous Congress regime had “pushed the State and other parts of the North East into darkness,” but that the situation changed after Modi became Prime Minister. He added that after a long period, peace has been restored in Assam and development is now evident “in all spheres of life,” boosting public confidence in the NDA.
Asked whether government schemes would translate into electoral gains for the NDA, Sonowal argued that earlier welfare programmes suffered at the hands of middlemen who siphoned off funds. He said the Prime Minister’s move to direct bank transfers has ensured money reaches beneficiaries’ accounts directly, allowing recipients to obtain “100 per cent benefit.” He suggested this delivery mechanism would strengthen the NDA’s prospects in the upcoming State Assembly polls.
On reports that the BJP in Assam was divided, Sonowal dismissed them as “Congress propaganda,” asserting the party is united. He said, “For any BJP member, the nation comes first, the party comes second, and the individual comes last,” and added that public sentiment in the state has shifted in the past decade toward development.
Describing the NDA’s electoral outlook as “bright,” Sonowal said the alliance was “confident but not complacent” and continuing to work to secure the maximum possible number of seats. When pressed on targets, he said the NDA would “aim for 100 per cent,” comparing the goal to a student striving for full marks: “Similarly, we are aiming for 100 per cent and let us see how many we get. But we will win the polls, that is for sure.”
On his own electoral plans, Sonowal said he is guided by party principles: “I do not have any decision for myself. The party’s decision is my decision.” He also said candidate selection for the polls will take into account opinions from the grassroots.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/guwahati/development-and-direct-benefit-schemes-to-help-nda-win-assam-polls-sonowal-1607964
Category: Guwahati,Featured,More
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-02-19 09:35:00
