Mai Chai Wala Hu...: PM Modi In Assam Critiques Congress Over Culture, Tea And Fertiliser Reforms

Updated: Sunday, December 21, 2025, 18:29 [IST]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a visit to Assam to sharply criticise the Congress, accusing the party of backing anti-national thinking and blocking key reforms. Modi said the current government in Assam and at the Centre is working to fix problems which, according to Modi, were created by Congress rule.

Modi recalled that several fertiliser plants across India, including those affecting farmers in Assam, had become inactive earlier. He said earlier governments left farmers struggling for urea, forcing long queues. Modi stated that the present administration is trying to revive such units and improve supply so that farmers can work with fewer hurdles.

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During a visit to Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Congress party for allegedly supporting anti-national thinking and obstructing reforms; he highlighted actions by his government, including land rights for the tea community and efforts to revive fertiliser plants while accusing the Congress of disrespecting regional cultural icons and protecting illegal immigrants.

PM Modi attack on Congress in Assam over Bharat Ratna and culture

The Prime Minister targeted the Congress over Bharat Ratna for Bhupen Hazarika. Modi said people would remember that when his government decided to honour Bhupen Hazarika with the Bharat Ratna, the Congress objected. He added that the then Congress national president claimed Modi was giving the award to singers and dancers.

Modi directly questioned this stand and stressed its cultural impact. Modi asked, "Tell me, isn't this an insult to Bhupen Hazarika? Isn't this an insult to our culture?" Modi said such reactions from Congress showed disrespect towards regional icons and traditions that hold deep emotional value in states like Assam.

PM Modi attack on Congress in Assam over tea community and immigrants

Modi also raised issues linked to Assam’s tea community. He claimed Congress governments did not give land rights to people associated with tea cultivation for many years. Modi said the Bharatiya Janata Party government granted these rights, arguing that this change helped families gain dignity and a firmer legal status.

Issue	Modi's allegation against Congress	Claimed BJP action
Tea community land	Denied land rights for years	Granted land rights and legal security
Illegal immigrants	Settled and protected them	Supported SIR and voter list update
Fertiliser supply	Factories shut, long queues for urea	Efforts to revive units and improve supply

Modi further alleged that Congress settled illegal immigrants in Assam and now tries to shield them. He said this was why the party opposes SIR and the updating of the voter list. Modi argued that Congress leaders focused on vote-bank politics and, according to Modi, did not prioritise ordinary citizens or national interest.

Linking his own background with these themes, Modi again described personal responsibility for tea workers. "I am a tea seller. If I don't do it, who will?," said PM Modi. Modi added that a semiconductor unit set up by his government also faced resistance from Congress. Modi said the government is putting in every effort to correct earlier policy decisions.