PM Modi Faces Opposition Fire As Congress Chief Kharge Questions Infiltration Narrative

The political clash over illegal immigrants intensified as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge traded direct accusations. Modi alleged that Congress encouraged illegal Bangladeshi immigration in Assam, while Kharge countered that the BJP used the issue to hide governance failures at the Centre and in the state.

Kharge argued that the ruling party should accept responsibility instead of blaming rivals over illegal immigrants and border control. "How can he blame the Opposition parties?" Kharge asked, stressing that law and order remains a government duty, not an Opposition task, in both Delhi and Dispur.

Illegal immigrants debate shapes Congress-BJP war of words

Questioning the BJP's stance on illegal immigrants, Kharge highlighted that the same party runs governments at both levels. "This government is there in the Centre, and in Assam also, his own government, that is called double-engine government. If they fail to protect, how can he blame the Opposition parties? Are we ruling there?" Kharge said, calling the charge politically driven.

Kharge further sharpened the attack on the BJP over illegal immigrants and security lapses. "When he fails, everything he puts on opposition, and I condemn such a statement. They are destroyers, we are not destroyers, and we are not defending anybody. In the interest of the country, whatever good we will do, but not supporting terrorists or infiltrators or others. He is blaming just because he failed to protect, prevent them," Kharge added.

PM Modi links illegal immigrants to Assam politics and voter lists

Speaking at Namrup in Assam's Dibrugarh district, Modi connected illegal immigrants to Congress's political strategy. "The Congress is indulging in anti-national activities. They want illegal Bangladeshi immigrants to settle in Assam's forests and lands. They only want to strengthen their vote bank, and don't care about the people". Modi framed the issue as a threat to local identity and resources.

Modi also tied the illegal immigrants issue to electoral rolls and regional identity. "The Congress is opposing the revision of voter lists as it only wants to grab power... They oppose whatever good I try to do... The BJP government will always work to protect the identity, land, pride and existence of Assamese people," Modi said, addressing a public rally after inaugurating a Rs 10,601-crore fertiliser unit at Namrup.

Modi repeated his long-standing criticism of Congress while talking about illegal immigrants and past policies. He said the party had caused "so many wrongs" over decades, and even after "correcting" them for 11 years, the central government still faced a large backlog of unresolved issues on security, development and national integrity.

Concerns about illegal immigrants from Bangladesh remain central to Assam's politics and social debates. Data from the last 12 months shows that authorities detained and sent back more than 400 people who entered India illegally, mostly identified as Bangladeshis and Rohingya, underlining how the border question still shapes arguments between BJP and Congress.